Joao Gomes nets stunning hat-trick as he steps up comeback with Academy

Joao Gomes stepped up his recovery from a knee injury in spectacular fashion as his hat-trick guided South Shields’ Under-19s to a thrilling victory over Gateshead on Wednesday. 

In an eagerly-awaited clash between two sides which both went into the game with 100% records in the league, the young Mariners emerged 3-2 victors away from home.

Gomes, who has returned to training in recent weeks having been out since pre-season, was joined in the Academy team by Blair Rossiter, who was making his own comeback from a knee injury.

Both players are being assessed before coming into contention for a first-team return.

The win moved Shields to within three points of National League Under-19 Alliance Division I leaders Gateshead with two games in hand, having won all five of their matches in the competition so far this season.