Reserve Match Report 09/03/11

Danny Guthrie led the team out on a bitterly cold night at SJP to a crowd of over 7 people.

After a nervy first 10 minutes from both sides (which included a horribly mis timed tackle from Captain Guthers, which would of seen a yellow in the prem) NUFC managed to get the ball down and started playing freely.

A cross from the right side made its way towards Kuqi who seemed to go over rather too easily for a first half penalty.

So which young gun would gain valuable experience and step up to take the penalty? None other than Old man Kuqi himself. He strolled up, waited for the keeper to move, then passed it into his arms.

Nevertheless Newcastle pushed on towards the Leazes end and played some fantastic one touch football. Conor Newton ghosted down the right wing with Patrick Nzuzi providing excellent overlap runs.

Chances were spurned from both sides until Greg McDermott found his way into the box and to calmly put the ball to the right of the Arsenall keeper 1 - 0

NUFC were put under a lot of pressure and thanks to some great work from Tim Krul the home side did not concede in the first half.

Phil Airey was lively and after some good play in the centre, Airey was through on goal but flashed a shot wide of the post.

40 mins and the appearence of an inflated condom was seen in the crowd. Obviously a schoolboy jape or Tash hasn't worked out how to use it yet.

Goalscorer McDermott was replaced by Brad Inman at the break

Second half got under way and Kuqi should of made the score 2 - 0 but he managed to put his header wide of the goal following a flap from the Arsenal keeper McDermott.

Michael Richardson saw plenty of the ball on the left flank, but alas, like Jonas, his work rate and ability to beat his man was let down by the youngster trying to do too much.

The central defensive partnership of Remie Streete and Daniel Leadbitter was very strong but a lapse in concentration saw a cross from the left drop kindly to Josh Rees who put his low shot past Krul. 1-1

70 mins saw Powerhouse Kuqi and still out of his depth Guthrie replaced by Dan Taylor and Ryan McGorrigan respectively.

More pressure from Arsenal but Airey managed to fire a shot from outside the box high into the Gallowgate end.

A lot of chances spurned from Arsenal, mostly created by Arsenal's number 10 Cheks Aneke, who looked very dangerous and was the best player in a red shirt.

The game looked like it was heading for a draw, until the 89th minute when Michael Riley put in a great cross for Phil Airey to net a well deserved goal for the winner.

If i'm honest, i expected us to be outclassed but was very impressed with the performance

Special mention to Greg McDermott who was the best player on the park first half.
Remie Streete who was unflappable.
Michael Riley very much looked the complete left back
and Phil Airey who was dangerous throughout and looks very promising indeed.

oh and Tom Cruise who managed to find time in his busy Hollywood schedule to turn out for the Gunners.

 

Kuqi sounds like he crumbled...

 

and still out of his depth Guthrie .....


Useless, ship him out

 

Good read toonpents. How was Inman when he came on? Good to hear we played some good, 1-2 touch football though!

A post worthy of my 1000th!

 

Inman played well, nothing flashy just getting the job done, don't recall him giving the ball away.

Its was good to see bith sides playing the same way as the first teams

Arsenal kept the ball on the deck at all times and played sharp 1 - 2 touch stuff

Newcastle played short snappy passes but we quite happy to knock a ball forward to a target man when the play called for it.

I was expecting Krul, Kuqi and Guthrie to shine but only Krul did

Kuqi was a presence and won plenty in the air for Airey to run onto but never really threatened the Gunners goal

Airey looks better than Lover IMO

 

Wicked Post toonpents.

Have some Rep!

Kuqi and Guthrie go home already.

 

Great report, have some rep!

Sounds like some of the players in the reserve side are very promising. Apparently we're second in the league so good signs for future.

 

Congratulations! Welcome aboard!