Due to the large number of subs used (some of
them unlisted), it's unclear who precisely was who, but the changes in
numbers were: 18 on for 2 46mins, 15 on for 11 58 mins, 16 on for 10 62 mins,
12 on for 7 62 mins, 20 on for 9 73 mins, 14 on for 8 73 mins.
NUFC:(normal home kit) Karelse,
Serrant (Caldwell G 26 mins), Charvet, Marcelino (Caldwell S 26mins), Beharall,
Hamilton, Boyd (McMahon 46 mins), Brady, Green, Coppinger, Ketsbaia. Subs n/u: Grindlay.
Carl Serrant/Garry Brady in "action"
3 mins. An awful error from Karelse saw him pass
straight to one-time Newcastle transfer target Graham Goulding, who had the
simple task of knocking the ball home to set off celebrations from the
home fans. 0-1.
17 mins. United registered their first genuine goalscoring attempt of
the contest, courtesy of a Coppinger run and shot that Hoggeth easily fisted
over.
18 mins. Further pressure on the Newcastle goal, and a narrow escape
as Barry Irving beat Karelse, only to smack the ball against the
crossbar. However, a linesman's flag intervened and play was brought back. 20 mins. An outbreak of football from the visitors, with Green
whipping over a low cross from the right, and Coppinger connecting well but
sending his effort straight into the 'keepers midriff.
23 mins. Striker Darren Wilson swept past the daydreaming Marcelino ,
who paused to look in the vague direction of a linesman, more in hope than
expectation. As Wilson homed in goal, Karelse spread himself and managed to
panic the home player into blasting the ball high into the crowd. 24 mins. A minute later, and a virtual replica of the previous
Workington attack ended with Barry Irving doubling their advantage via the
toe end of Marcelino, much to the disgust of Karelse and the United
management 0-2.
26 mins. Tommy Craig wisely decided to dispense with the services of the
awful Marcelino and uninterested Serrant, in favour of the a central
defensive pairing composed of the Caldwell brothers. Beharall consequently
moved to left back. Game on. 34 mins. With almost every Newcastle attack being funneled down the
right wing, Green found himself with the ball in an advanced central
position before being bundled over. From the resultant free kick, a Ketsbaia
shot from 25 yards was cleared off the line by a defender.
Halftime Score: Workington 2 NUFC 0
Newcastle coach Tommy Craig was called away
from his halftime team talk to make an on-pitch presentation of medals to
the Workington U18 team.
46 mins.
Local lad Stuart Green was
allowed to run unopposed towards the Workington goal, and his sweetly struck
effort from 20 yards flew into the top left hand corner of the goal with the
keeper helpless. 1-2.
55 mins. Alow David McMahon shot from just outside the box
levelled things up. 2-2. 88 mins. Brady saw his shot parried and the rebound fell to James
Coppinger midway inside the Workington penalty area. A neat drag-back saw
Coppinger extricate himself from two challenging defenders. He stumbled but
managed to stab a shot goalwards from 8 yards, which crossed the line with
the help of a defenders boot for what looked like an OG. 3-2. 87 mins. Almost another for Coppinger, as he connected with a good
cross supplied from the right wing by Garry Brady. However the 'keeper
managed to tip it on to the post and away to safety.
Final Score: Workington 2 NUFC 3
Waffle:
The Discards XI came back from a two-goal deficit at a crumbling Borough Park on
a sunny Friday night to record their third pre-season victory, amid
uncharacteristic West coast sunshine, which had tempted a crowd far in
excess of any of the previous season's Unibond league attendances.
No one Newcastle player stood out, but again the application and industry
of Ketsbaia caught the eye, and numerous other "senior" players
who should have looked similarly out of place seemed to have found their
level.
The game itself was played at a good pace, and was more reminiscent of a
Northumberland Senior Cup tie than a meaningless pre-season encounter. For
the home side, a Jones was sighted in the second half, but looked to be
someone else of the same name, rather than the young home defender Andrew
Jones, who has been playing for Newcastle juniors in this pre-season.
Quick mention for the large number of exiled Mags who turned up, including the
memorably-named Bobby Thompson.