Rammy's header from a Martin Brittain corner was cleared off the line but the centre-back crashed the rebound in from close range.

United also hit the bar through Lewis Guy and had efforts from Guy and Ameobi saved by England keeper Richard Wright.

The Journal reported the game like this:

Centre-back Peter Ramage got Newcastle Reserves' season off to a victorious start with a second-half winner at Kingston Park last night.

Ramage's initial header from a Martin Brittain corner was cleared off the line by Chris Seargeant, but the Newcastle youngster reacted quickest to crash the loose ball high into the net from eight yards on 68 minutes.

It was just reward for United, who had recovered from a shaky start to take charge, with Shola Ameobi leading the line intelligently.

Moments before the goal, Lewis Guy planted a glorious header against the bar with Everton desperately clearing for the corner from which the winner arrived.

Everton's England goalkeeper Richard Wright kept out excellent first-half efforts from Guy and Ameobi, each time diving full length to touch the ball round the post.

Everton almost grabbed a shock lead two minutes after the interval when the elusive Nick Chadwick made space for a 20yd drive that thudded against the left angle with keeper Tony Caig helpless.

Caig had almost been punished for picking up a Phil Cave back pass but when Anthony Gerrard - cousin of Liverpool and England star Steven - touched the free-kick sideways, Laurence Wilson's 12yd shot was deflected inches wide of the right post.

Bjarni Vidarsson should have levelled seven minutes from the end but was let down by poor control with only Caig to beat.