Southend United began their 2025/26 National League season in style, recording a 3-0 victory at the Gateshead International Stadium — their first ever win at the venue.
Two quick goals early in the second half from Josh Walker and Charley Kendall sealed the points after Sam Austin had given Kevin Maher’s side a third-minute lead on his debut.
The result places Blues second in the table after the first round of fixtures.
Kendall’s lob caps off a confident performance
While the match was already firmly in Southend’s control, Kendall delivered its standout moment in the 56th minute. Spotting goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks off his line, the striker executed a precise lob from around 30 yards, sending the away fans into celebration.
That goal arrived just moments after Walker had doubled the lead, drilling the ball into the far corner from Austin’s pass after Gateshead lost possession in midfield.
Austin strikes early to set the tone
Before Kendall’s show-stopping finish, it was Austin who made the biggest early impact. In just the third minute, the summer signing pounced when Walker’s effort struck the post, reacting quickest to slot the rebound past Brooks.
Austin could have had a second soon after but headed wide from Keenan Appiah-Forson’s cross, while Noor Husin and Gus Scott-Morriss combined later in the half to create another half-chance that went unconverted.
Bright opening and solid defence
The game began at a high tempo, with Southend almost scoring inside 15 seconds when Kendall forced Brooks into an early save.
Defensively, Blues kept Gateshead at arm’s length throughout, with Ben Goodliffe marking his permanent return from Colchester by helping secure a clean sheet. The home side created little of note, their best openings coming from distance.
Match details
Final score: Gateshead 0–3 Southend United
Goals: Austin (3’), Walker (54’), Kendall (56’)
Bookings: Ralph (39’)
Referee: Stuart Morland
Attendance: 1,278 (355 away)
Southend United XI: Andeng Ndi, Taylor, Goodliffe, Ralph, Scott-Morriss, Appiah-Forson, Husin (Parillon 87′), Austin (Morton 80′), Boyes (Bridge 80′), Kendall (Hopper 69′), Walker (Dallas 69′)
Subs not used: Hayes, Gubbins
Gateshead XI: Brooks, Pani (Sheaf 46′), Richardson, Grayson, Ferguson, Home (Nouble 77′), Flint, Fitzhugh (Adom 57′), Bone (John 58′), Chapman (Hurst 56′), Telford