4 mins Guy header 1-0

11 mins Graham shot 1-1

31 mins Clark volley 1-2

45 mins Graham shot 1-3

Half time: Darlo 3 Newcastle 1

70 mins Pearson free kick 1-4

Full time: Darlo 4 Newcastle 1

Tommy Craig said:

To follow....

United's Pontins Reserves side made an inauspicious debut at the Combover Stadium aka the Reynolds Arena on Tuesday evening, falling to a 4-1 defeat despite taking an early lead and wearing their "lucky" silver strip.

Lewis Guy gave United the lead after only four minutes heading home an Alan O'Brien cross from the left and at that stage the Magpies looked in control.

However, the Quakers levelled on 11 minutes when Andy Ferrell lost possession to former mackem Neil Wainwright and on-loan Boro striker Danny Graham shot past Bartlett, just as he had done at Kingston Park last November when we drew 2-2 with the Smoggies in the Premier Reserve League.

In an entertaining game with chances at both ends, Guy almost regained the lead for the visitors three minutes later, but Norton in the Darlo goal did well to hold on to his close-range effort from an O'Brien corner. 

It was the home side who went in front just after the half hour though, Ian Clark finishing well from a right wing cross with question marks over our back four.

The killer goal though came just seconds before the interval, when Clark Keltie set Graham away with a through ball through the heart of the Newcastle defence and he slotted it under a hesitant Bartlett to give his side a two-goal cushion.

Despite making two changes for the second half, Newcastle never looked like getting back in the contest until 67 minutes, when an O'Brien free kick from the right near the corner flag was for once not gathered by 'keeper Norton.

As the ball bounced in the six yard box, it appeared to go over the line with Ramage in particular protesting to the referee. However no goal was given and Darlo hit us with a lightning counter-attack, a cross from the right flank ultimately being turned back to his owner 'keeper by Kris Gate.

A free kick in the area was duly awarded and Captain Gary Pearson stepped up to hammer home a right-footed effort.

That was the signal for the returning Dyer to leave the field after a performance best described as tentative.

Newcastle did have slightly more of the ball in the closing stages but failed to test the Quakers 'keeper, Guy in particular being guilty of an awful miss in added time, screwing his shot wide of a gaping goal from barely 10 yards.

Afterwards toon coach Tommy Craig was diplomatic about the non-performance but the downcast expressions of the departing toon players told their own story - a big improvement will be required in their next Pontins League outing, when Boston United visit Whitley Park on Thursday (2pm ko.)

Biffa

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