Wealdstone crush Gateshead 4-0 to deepen Lee Cattermole managerial crisis

Wealdstone compounded Gateshead's early-season misery with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Grosvenor Vale, leaving former Premier League midfielder Lee Cattermole on the brink in his first senior managerial role.

Gateshead, who made a 278-mile journey south accompanied by around 100 travelling supporters, started with intent as Northern Ireland international midfielder Alfie McCalmont made his debut following a midweek move from Australia's Central Coast Mariners. However, the visitors rapidly unravelled once Olufela Olomola broke the deadlock for Gary Waddock's side before half-time.

Wealdstone doubled their advantage shortly after when Luke Norris converted from the penalty spot following a soft challenge in the box. Any hopes of a second-half response from Gateshead disappeared within two minutes of the restart as the hosts struck a third, before adding a late fourth to cap off a dominant afternoon.

The result leaves Gateshead rooted to the bottom of the National League table with just one win from their opening 10 matches, intensifying scrutiny on Cattermole's uncompromising management style. The former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder has reportedly isolated eight first-team players into a separate training group and removed them from squad communications in a bid to spark a reaction, but the approach has failed to bear fruit following a recent heavy defeat to Southend.

Chants of "sacked in the morning" and "time to go" echoed from the away end as the final whistle blew. Gateshead assistant manager Ben Clark acknowledged the squad's fragile state after the match, noting: "We conceded a soft goal, and struggled from there on in. The lads are struggling a bit with their confidence."