Newcastle United(1) 1 Beardsley (25 pen)
Oldham (0) 0
Att: 36,314
Newcastle: Hislop, Barton, Peacock, Albert, Elliott, Batty,
Clark, Beardsley, Asprilla (Kitson 74), Ginola, Ferdinand
Subs not used: Watson, Srnicek
Oldham: Kelly, Halle, Serrant, Rickers, Fleming, Redmond,
Orlygsson, S. McNiven (Hughes 83), Barlow, Banger, Beresford
Subs Not Used: D. McNiven, Hallworth
This was a boring match. Beforehand all the talk the pub was about the previous Sunday. We relived each goal and talked proudly and openly about how emotional it all was. If the mauling of Man Utd was the most memorable match I have ever seen this has to be one of the most forgettable.
Newcastle made loads of changes. We all presumed that Shearer was rested, later the next day the news that he was to go under the knife was a bit of a bombshell.
In the first half we messed about and Oldham put us under a bit of pressure. However we took the lead via a disputed penalty (controversial penalties are beginning to become the norm at St James' Park). Beardsley smashed it home.
In the second half we had one or two chances and Oldham never got in our half until the last five minutes. We were rubbish but I reckon that if Oldham scored we would have dragged ourselves up a gear and got a winner.
It must be difficult for players like Barton, Hislop, Kitson, Asprilla and Clark. They are thrust into a first team game without any match practice for two months. The lack of a reserve team will come back to haunt us.
I also think that if the club is going to make loads of changes then they are taking the piss if they charge full prices. £15 should have been for the most expensive (not cheapest) seats.
Credit to Oldham. Their players ran their hearts out and could have scored on several occasions. However it was their fans who really did them proud. They packed the away sections and outsung a placid Toon Army for most of the game. At one point the Oldham fans got the Toon fans singing 'If you hate Man Utd clap your hands!' This was the only similarity to be drawn with Sunday's game.
Next round draw: Middlesborough v Newcastle (Nov 26/27th LIVE ON SKY)