FC Halifax Comeback Secures Emphatic Victory Over Gateshead

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

FC Halifax Town came from behind to defeat Gateshead 4-1 at The Shay in a National League North match, with Raheem Conte scoring twice after halftime. The win provided a crucial boost for FC Halifax while Gateshead, under new management and awaiting new ownership, struggled to maintain their early advantage.

FC Halifax Town overturned a first-half deficit to secure a 4-1 victory against bottom-placed Gateshead at The Shay on Saturday. The match saw FC Halifax respond emphatically after conceding an early goal to claim a comprehensive win in the National League North fixture.

Gateshead took the lead in the 26th minute through Freddie Isaaka, whose strike from the edge of the area found the top corner past FC Halifax goalkeeper True Grant. The goal came under new Gateshead management, with Ben Clark at the helm for the first time following Lee Cattermole’s recent dismissal.

Despite trailing at halftime, FC Halifax created numerous chances but failed to convert in the opening 45 minutes. Manager John McGrath expressed frustration over missed opportunities but praised his team’s persistence. “The one thing missing in the first half was putting the ball in the net,” he said. “We were creating chances, so I was disappointed not to score before half-time. It was a fantastic finish from their lad, but we continued to create chances and thankfully we took them in the second half.”

The second half belonged to FC Halifax, who quickly turned the game around. Raheem Conte struck first for the hosts in the 58th minute, curling a precise shot beyond Gateshead’s goalkeeper Jameson to equalize. Just seven minutes later, Conor Carty put FC Halifax ahead with a well-placed header from a cross delivered by substitute Connor Douglas.

Ben Tollitt extended FC Halifax’s lead in the 84th minute with a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted. Conte added a fourth in stoppage time, showcasing skill by weaving through defenders before firing an angled shot to complete a dominant comeback and secure all three points.

Ben Clark reflected on the result, acknowledging Gateshead’s strong first-half performance but conceding the visitors were outplayed after the break. “We did okay in the first half and took the lead with a great goal,” Clark said. “But Halifax were better in the second half and deserved to win.”

The victory marked an important bounce back for FC Halifax Town, while Gateshead’s defeat came amid ongoing club developments, including the anticipated arrival of new owners. Attendance at The Shay numbered 1,379, with Lewis Smith officiating the match.

Final scorers: Raheem Conte (58, 90+4), Conor Carty (65), Ben Tollitt (84) for FC Halifax; Freddie Isaaka (26) for Gateshead.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.