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Referee:  G.Turner

Teams: 

MCFC: (normal home kit)  Wright, De La Cruz, Granville, Jobson, Morrison, Ritchie, (Shuker 59 mins) Mason, Grant (Dunfield 50 mins), Taylor, Dickov, Cooke. 
Subs: Hodgson, Killen, Mike.
Booked: Cooke 83 mins. Leaving Coppinger prone in the narrow gap between touchline and perimeter after a strong tackle.  

NUFC: (normal home kit) Harper, Charvet, Serrant, Griffin, Caldwell G, McClen, Brady, Kerr, Hamilton, McMahon (Ameobi 66 mins) Coppinger. 
Subs n/u: Grindlay, Boyd, McGuffie.

15 seconds. One of the quickest goals ever scored against United at any level, as straight from the kick-off the ball was propelled down the left and then backheeled into the Newcastle six yard area by Ecuadorian De La Cruz. At the third attempt Dickov forced the ball over the line, after Harper and Serrant had blocked previous attempts during a flurry of activity. 0-1.
2 mins. The visitors attempted to hit back through Hamilton, who was allowed to progress downfield in the right-hand channel and into the box. His low shot passed harmlessly away from the far post, but the lack of defensive cover was evident.
18 mins. More attacking pressure from City brought out the best in Charvet, who dealt with two dangerous shots by Dickov within seconds by making determined blocks to prevent the ball crossing the line.
24 mins. Newcastle had gradually started to assert a measure of control, without carving out goalscoring chances, until McMahon received a pass on the right side of the City area from Coppinger, and tested Tommy Wright with a shot.
30 mins. A deserved equaliser duly arrived as a result of a flowing Newcastle attack, initiated by Serrant. Moving into the City half from the left back position, he found Brady, and he in turn slipped a short pass through to the advancing McMahon. He had time to take a controlling touch of the ball before slipping it home into the net from 12 yards.1-1
44 mins. Almost another goal for United as Hamilton took advantage of an absence of a challenge to press forward and roll the ball into the path of McMahon. However, this time Wright was able to narrow the angle and block the ball. Utter confusion in the City defence then should have seenm United take the lead, but no attackers were on hand to profit when the ball bounced unattended in the penalty area.

Halftime: MCFC 1 NUFC 1

54 mins The first sight of striker Gareth Taylor for City, as Gary Caldwell diverted his attentions for once from Dickov to make two saving tackles on Taylor, who twice wriggled into dangerous central positions.
58 mins. Yet another lapse of concentration saw United break down the right flank through Griffin, who in turn fed Kerr. His low centre eluded Wright in goal and allowed McMahon to knock home his second goal from close range at the far post, despite some protestations from home fans that he was standing in an offside position. 2-1.
59 mins. An instant reaction to going behind by City who brought off new signing from Rangers Paul Ritchie and sent on young winger Chris Shukur.
72 mins. City now began to look livelier, especially down their left side, where Shukur's introduction had coincided with some slackness by Griffin. However, a route one clearance almost let City in , as Wright's long kick was seized up on by Dickov, who eluded the tackle of Caldwell and set off for goal. Despite having a number of colleagues in good positions in the area, he elected to go for glory and whacked his shot way over the crossbar.
82 mins. With United still looking comfortably in front, the first of a number of chances to seal the victory was spurned, Brady being released on the left hand side of the box after McClen had successfully foraged for the ball in midfield. However, his well-struck shot brought a fine fingertip save from Tommy Wright.
83 mins. More United pressure as both sides pressed forward in the closing stages: after a challenge by Cooke that left Coppinger sprawled on the turf out by the left touchline, the resultant inswinging freekick from Brady found Coppinger beyond the far post. His attempted shot passed virtually along the goalline with both 'keeper Wright and attacker Hamilton unable to get a crucial touch - an amazing escape.
86 mins. With time running out, City's raids became ever more desperate, and Griffin was again found wanting when Shukur scrambled down the left outsripping the defence, and crossed into the area to where Taylor was waiting. His first-time shot from the near penalty spot passed under Harper for a deserved equaliser.
91 mins. In added time, there was almost a late winner for the visitors, but Hamilton's run, Brady's ball inside a defender and McClen's effort were in vain as Wright again held firm between the posts.
 
Final Score: MCFC 2 NUFC 2

Waffle: 

A second successive 2-2 draw for the reserve side, and another entertaining game for those who turned up (including a gratifying number of Newcastle sympathisers.) However, Tommy Craig once again bemoaned the fact that his charges were unable to preserve a clean sheet, despite all their enterprising offensive play.

In mitigation, Steve Caldwell linking up with with the Scotland U21 party may weakened his defence, but his replacement Charvet is no mug, and put in a decent enough display. The same couldn't be said for Griffin however, who seemed to be prone to lapses of concentration at crucial points.

Up front, the supply lines of the previous week were missing with the absence of both Gavilan and Glass, but Brian Kerr again showed some good awareness and Hamilton gave his familiar whole-hearted performance. Coppinger was a wee bit quiet after all the excitement of his senior debut the previous Saturday, but playing alongside first McMahon then the wildly unpredictable Ameobi looks to be a thankless task at times.

The game was well summed up by NUFC.com regular John Hepple, who turned out along with his 9 year old laddie. John commented 

"Overall a solid enough performance, let down by not taking the chances to distance themselves from an experienced City team."

PS: Mention must be made of the facilities at Ewen Fields, where Unibond league side Hyde have invested in decent facilities for their supporters (and by default, us.) A smart stand takes up most of one side, with  covered terraces opposite and behind one goal. A good-value social club also stands temptingly close to the turnstiles - it would have been rude not to sample their hospitality....

So, on the surface, just your average ordinary reserve game, with a sprinkling of semi-interested adult and semi-bored younger onlookers, but a slightly different picture emerges after a look at the pitchside advertising....

The presence of hoardings for funeral directors is a macabre reminder that in this suburb of Manchester, mass murderer Doctor Harold Shipman perpetrated his crimes without detection for many years, and his former surgery is a short walk from the ground. 

Brings a whole new meaning to going to see the stiffs....

Biffa