‘This guy is a joke’ – Aidan Rutledge impresses fans with sublime goal for Gateshead

‘This guy is a joke’ – Aidan Rutledge impresses fans with a sublime goal for Gateshead in their cup clash against Dunston on Tuesday night.

The two sides were taking part in the Durham FA ‘Frank Pattison’ Challenge Cup first round clash, but it was Rutledge who gave a man of the match performance in netting a hat-trick to help Gateshead to a 5-2 victory.

A 34 second clip of the moment he scored one of his goals was uploaded onto social media with it getting over 500,000 views at the time of writing with the likes going over 2,200 and counting… you can also watch highlights of the game below.

We weren’t joking when we said R9 btw 🤯🇧🇷

🎯 @AidanRutledge9#WorClub ⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/x0vP8WgV8M

— Gateshead FC (@GatesheadFC) October 11, 2023

Gateshead went ahead on 21 minutes after a lovely finish from Rutledge put them ahead before the scoreline was level on 37 minutes after JJ Chrisp fired the ball into Dale Pearson, who’s first touch was an excellent one of that and he sent it into the bottom corner.

The Heed Army were back ahead on the 65th minute when a fine solo effort from Billy Chadwick saw him squeeze a shot through his marker’s legs and into the far corner.

Things went from bad to worse for Dunston on 73 minutes with Billy Chadwick grabbing his brace less than ten minutes later, a left footed finish that hit the bottom right corner to make it 3-1.

Then moments later, it was 4-1, Rutledge taking the ball down and shifted his way past multiple defenders before unleashing into the top corner.

Aidan Rutledge grabbed himself with a hat-trick during the last ten minutes with the second goal of his getting all the talk.

Dunston described it as a ‘ridiculous bit of footwork outside the penalty area, before curling an absolute beauty into the top left corner, which Pickering could only dream of getting near.’

Rutledge then made it 5-1 with a back post tap-in into the roof of the net.

Dunston never gave up and earned themselves a second goal, Jordan Lamb being played through on goal and netted past Matty Cassap for a late consolation.

Post-match Rutledge said: “Yeah, I think we started off very well. I think first 20/25 minutes, especially having a predominantly younger side, they were confident, they got on the ball, they didn’t shy away. We all had a word before about getting on the ball and this is a good chance, especially with the Gaffer here, to impress, not just for the lads who aren’t really getting much first team football, but for the younger lads coming up as well. I think towards end of the first half, we struggled a bit and they done to start to get a bit on top, but I think we showed great character the second half to get control of the game again and finish off the way we did.

Interviewer: Yeah, I saw before the game in the warmup, you kind of given a few sort of pointers to Lucas before the game sort of started. Did you feel like as one of the senior lads tonight, you kind of had a bit of a role to play in trying to help the younger lads through things a little bit?

Rutledge: Yeah, definitely. I mean, we’ve all been in the situation where a bit younger, going to squad, going to blokes changing room makes a difference, you’re a bit quieter. And a player like Lucas were trained together yesterday and he’s got bags and bags of talent. He’s absolutely rapid, he’s got a great left foot. And when I knew he was playing beside us, I thought, he’s going to make me look good if he does certain things. And he was amazing tonight and he made me look good.

Interviewer: You say he made you look good. I mean, a hat trick is not the worst evening in the world here. You scored one in pre season here. Obviously, only 45 minutes played on that night, but a full 90 minutes tonight, three goals. It can’t be too bad.

Rutledge: No good, positive. Like I said, I’ve got to take my chances when I get them. Obviously, Marcus flying at the minute, I can’t make any complaints. He’s doing well, he’s scoring goals. The team are doing really well in the playoff positions, which is what our main aim is. And when I get games like this in different cups and I can come on and make a difference and use them minutes to better us, then I’m going to do that.

Interviewer: Yeah. I suppose it can only help from a confidence point of view for you as well. I know you mentioned sort of last season when you were at Birtley and the Uni and stuff, you were kind of scoring pretty much two, three games a week and it was kind of keeping that confidence going. So I suppose this season so far has maybe been a little bit different when you haven’t played quite as much.

Rutledge: Yeah, massively. I mean, I’m coming on in games and I am getting the odd little half chance and stuff, but it’s good to get a full 90 under me belt and get them clear cut chances and know that I can still score goals, you know what I mean? Not just in training. So now it’s good, it’s confidence I neededa nd obviously onto the FA Cup on Saturday, hopefully get another one or two there.

Interviewer: Yeah. And you mentioned that the Gaffer watching, obviously, from your point of view, a good evening to kind of put yourself in his mind for the FA Cup on Saturday as well?

Rutledge: Yeah, definitely. I mean, that’s all I can do.I’ve just got to take my chances when I get them and score goals and hopefully he can say that.

“It’s good to know I can still score goals!” 😆

Congrats on your first trio, Aidan! 👏#WorClub ⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/1NldXtecNm

— Gateshead FC (@GatesheadFC) October 10, 2023

A little more information on Rutledge. He joined his hometown club in June 2023 after a stunning campaign at Birtley Town.

He scored 61 goals in 43 appearances for them along with 15 assists for 22/23, this saw them secure promotion from the Northern League Division One for the first time in their history.

He was the club and league record scorer and named at BBC Newcastle Player of the Year at the Ebac Northern Football League Awards.

Prior to his stint at Birtley, he played for Gateshead Leam Rangers of the Wearside League, where he scored 49 goals in 60 games over two seasons.

He’ll be hoping in good time, he’ll be making regular appearances for the National League outfit’s first team league games. Judging by his performances, he doesn’t look far off.

Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Aidan Rutledge impresses fans with that sublime goal for Gateshead…

@TheStottyDog: In all seriousness… On a pitch like that too! Damn!

@GlenHargrave19: 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 some boy

@charlie_holland: Full back moaning cos he didn’t pass then pulls out that 😂😂

@JamesRobbo98: Wow what a finish

@lee1892Johnson: The Birtley 🐐

@BlenkinW: fucking hell pick that out

@Jords_dons: Good goal but #6 should have taking his ankles long before he scored

@LRbix: Are you Ronaldo in disguise?

@GeBo84: And all his teammates are shouting “fu**ing pass the ball 🤬” 🤣

@IronMikeArmy: AIDAN RUTLEDGE BABYYY

@dan_bewicke: Special goal 👏🏻

@DanBennett55: Guys a joke 💫

@KieranMoss16: That’s your typical example of… “pass the ball you greedy twaaa… never mind, what a finish”

@daveyontheg: Brilliant goal 👌🏻👏🏻⚽️

@SPBurr4: Loving the right winger getting the hump because he didn’t pass him the ball

@Harsha111000: Very good composure on the ball as well. Solid finish.

@JackkBarton: It’s like watching Eze in slo-mo.

@Connor_RiceyGFC: WE ARE MASSIVE

@TheonlyDG: He’s a bit good!

@mj_afc: This goal is unreal from @AidanRutledge9

foreveroufc: what a goal that is, if you are capable in pulling off something like that, and this seems to be quite the habit for him, then why should he pass? love how rattled some of his teammates were for not passing, then no doubt ended up applauding that spectacular piece of skill and finish