17 mins Martinez header 0-1

20 mins Nicholson shot 0-2

Half time: Baggies 2 Newcastle 0

Full time: Baggies 2 Newcastle 0

Coach Tommy Craig said:

"We caused our own problems by not functioning for the first 20 minutes.

"It's not often we concede goals from set pieces, but we did in this game, then the second goal was a long ball over the top which saw their lad outmuscle David Edgar to get the shot away.

"The first half continued in the same vein, and it wasn't until half time that we could get the lads in and try and sort it out.

"After the break we dominated in terms of territory and possession, but we had made our own problems at that stage with the two early goals.

"I would say that the first half performance was as bad as anything we have had this season, and that disappoints me.

"West Brom were there for the taking in my opinion, but when you are second best for half an hour from the start of the game maybe you can't expect to get anything from the game."

After having beaten our U18 side 3-0 at home on Saturday, several of the same players faced each other as we met the Baggies Reserves at Kidderminster on Monday night.

And things were as bleak as the wintry weather for Tommy Craig and the boys, as Albion struck twice within four minutes in the first half to claim maximum points.

First Williams Martinez rose to head home a Rob Davies corner on 17 minutes, before Stuart Nicholson held off David Edgar's challenge in the box to convert Zoltan Gera's astute through ball three minutes later.

Carter, Chopra and Kirkland - not the
biggest stage these three have graced...

The Magpies then suffered a further setback when Martin Brittain limped off, the midfielder having been injured in the opening stages of the game.

Just after the half hour, Craig Moore was fortunate to see female referee Amy Rayner show him only a yellow card after he tussled with Albion's Martinez in the United area - the Uruguayan also being booked. Our man seemingly striking the opponent with a hand and possibly a boot.

Things were more even after the break, with United occasionally threatening the home goal. Michael Chopra had a free-kick hit the wall and loop over 'keeper Chris Kirkland, David Edgar heading just wide seconds later.

Chops then tested Kirkland again with a fierce shot from just inside the area but the 'keeper was able to beat the ball away as United tried to get back into the contest.

Matty Pattison was twice involved in front of goal, Kirkland saving from him on 74 minutes before the midfielder had a decent penalty claim turned down with eight minutes remaining.

However, those were our last serious attempts and the second string will now hope to take advantage of their good home form in the remainder of the season - six of their seven league games being on Tyneside.

Caig and Craig at Aggborough

PS - the team sheet listed our 'keeper as "Tom Craig". Our reserve manager was unavailable for comment but it was definitely Tony Caig not Tommy between the sticks....

Niall Mackenzie

Reserves