After the recent purgatory of Kingston Park, an expensively-assembled (£30m) United reserve side revelled in the favourable conditions of St. James' Park, comfortably overcoming an uninspiring Albion outfit.

And it was a case of all right on the night for Tommy Craig's side, with all three goals coming down that flank.

As he had the last time the reserves were allowed on the hallowed turf, back in April, Ambrose marked the occasion by getting on the scoresheet.

LuaLua had put the Magpies ahead but a header at the Leazes end was to be his final contribution to proceedings, as he was then led from the pitch in something of a daze (no change there then some would say).

1 min Dyer low effort wide of Leazes goal from just outside box.

3 mins Almost a calamity as the flight of a Dabizas knock back seemed to deceive Bartlett, who scrambled back and palmed the ball away via the post. WBA picked up the loose ball but the Newcastle 'keeper was quick to make amends by coming out quickly to gather at his feet.

11 mins United took the lead when Gate's cross from the right was nodded home firmly by LuaLua from just outside the six yard box. However he fell heavily in some distress and was treated on the field, although he didn't require the stretcher that belatedly arrived courtesy of some strolling St.Johns boys and girls. 1:0

16 mins with LuaLua being led aware down the tunnel, Lewis Guy was summoned to replace him up front.

26 mins Woodgate competed for the ball with Brown in the shadow of the East stand near the halfway line and noticeably limped away.

29 mins Woodgate cleared the ball, showing no ill-effects from the earlier incident.
    
37 mins After a nondescript passage of play, Cave and Brittain combined down the right and although the move broke down, Dyer seized on a loose ball to test the 'keeper with an angled shot from 10 yards.

HT 1:0

47 mins first sight of goal for Guy, but he drove his shot wide of the goal when one on one with the 'keeper.

51 mins Orr's tackle in midfield allowed Dyer to break forward and make headway across the Baggie's box before sending his reverse shot narrowly wide of the far post.

56 mins Woodgate dithered on the ball just outside the Newcastle area and was caught in possession by two attackers. The returning defender shoved the first before flopping down on Brown as he looked to have got away for a shot on goal. 

Very fortunately the referee showed Woody only yellow and Albion wasted the resultant free kick.
    
59 mins United doubled their lead with a neatly-taken goal, Brittain's low cross to the near post being touched back by Guy for the arriving Ambrose to plant the ball in the bottom right hand corner of the Gallowgate net from 15 yards 2:0

70 mins Another well-executed goal, as Newcastle attacked in numbers and Guy chased a pass towards the by-line before chipping it back in to the centre of the box. 

Brittain saw his goalbound shot charged down, but Ambrose picked up the ball and showed good composure to feign a shot before taking a further stride and confidently beating the 'keeper from close range. 3:0 
 
75 mins Guy found Brittain, who shot from a tight angle on the right hand side of the box and was denied by a fingertip save.

81 mins Ambrose trying for his hat -trick sent a curling right foot free kick narrowly wide of the 'keeper's left hand post after Elliott had been clipped.

81 mins Dabizas and Woodgate replaced by Ramage and Carr.
            
84 mins Intricate passing move from the home side, with good contributions from Elliott and Ambrose before Gate sent his low measured shot from the edge of the area just wide.

88 mins Guy again, unable to direct his shot on target and force a save from the 'keeper.

90 mins The inevitable Cort chance, as the unmarked striker planted his header from a right-wing Brittain centre straight into the arms of the keeper.