Joey Barton played himself back into the first team picture in front of Joe Kinnear on Tuesday evening, as the reserves recorded a resounding victory at Billingham.

This fixture has been goal-laden in recent seasons with the Magpies winning the last three meetings on Teesside and they were ahead this time round within five minutes.

Strike duo Andy Carroll and Nile Ranger both held the ball up on the edge of the Boro box before James Marwood converted a low effort for his first-ever goal at this level.

Back came the home side and United 'keeper Tim Krul pulled off a good save on 13 minutes to deny Marvin Emnes, with Andy Carroll coming equally close at the 
other end before the break with a volleyed effort.

There was a scare when Tamas Kadar went down after a heavy tackle in what was his first game of the season after recovering from knee and hamstring injuries.

Thankfully though the Hungarian defender was able to continue in his left back role before being replaced as scheduled just after the hour mark.

By then Andy Carroll had also marked his first start of the season with a firm header on 58 minutes, after Barton's astute ball released Jonny Godsmark down the right.

Within a minute. Boro reduced the arrears through Richard Smallwood's close range finish. However the impressive Godsmark again did the damage on 64 minutes - his centre from the right resulting in an OG from John Johnson.

Godsmark was the provider again for a fourth with 13 minutes remaining, wriggling into the box from the left flank and unselfishly finding Nile Ranger, who blasted a shot home for his third goal in as many reserve games.

Barton lasted 79 minutes before being replaced after a low-key performance that failed to provide the watching media pack with any new stories.

Tim Krul made one late block to prevent a second goal for the home side and then saw the follow-up hit the woodwork, but Newcastle were once again full value for their success at the "lucky" venue of Central Avenue.

Reserves on Smogside - Premier years:

1999/00 won 4-1 Kerr 2, Hamilton, Robinson
2000/01 won 3-0 Coppinger, Gavilan, McMenamin
2001/02 won 2-1 G.Caldwell, Offiong
2002/03 lost 2-4 LuaLua, Gardner
2003/04 won 2-1 Guy, Pattison
2004/05 won 2-0 Bates 2
2005/06 lost 3-4 Chopra 2, Edgar
2006/07 won 5-1 Carroll 3, Ameobi, Godsmark
2007/08 won 5-0 Carroll 3, Godsmark, Neary 
2008/09 won 4-1 Marwood, Carroll, OG, Ranger

Biffa

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