GATESHEAD, England (Interstat) — Woking opened its National League season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Gateshead on Saturday, defying pregame projections with a dominant second-half display at Gateshead International Stadium.

All three goals came from substitutes, highlighting the depth of the visiting squad and turning a closely contested first half into a one-sided affair. The result handed Gateshead a defeat in its first match of the domestic campaign.

The home side held firm for the opening half-hour, but Woking broke through in the 29th minute. Substitute Harry Beautyman, who had entered the match earlier, provided the finishing touch to give the visitors a 1-0 lead they would carry into halftime.

Woking solidified its control in the 67th minute. Another substitute, Matt Ward, found the net to double the advantage and effectively put the game out of reach for a Gateshead team that struggled to create consistent scoring opportunities.

The match grew increasingly fractious as Gateshead sought a way back into the contest. Woking’s Jamie Andrews received a yellow card in the 41st minute, followed by a caution for teammate Joe Grayson in the 74th minute. Gateshead’s frustration was compounded in second-half stoppage time when defender Louis Storey was also booked.

Woking sealed the comprehensive win deep into added time. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Oliver Sanderson became the third substitute to score, completing the 3-0 rout and capping a decisive performance.

The final score stood in stark contrast to the pregame analytics. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw, and its ELO rating system gave Woking only a narrow 50.70 percent probability of securing all three points on the road.

With the victory, Woking begins its National League season with one win and no losses. Gateshead starts its campaign with one loss and no wins. The records across all competitions for both clubs are identical to their early league standings.