4 mins Forster OG / Kisnorbo shot
0-1
35 mins Steven Taylor volley
1-1
Half time: Leeds 1 Newcastle 1
68 mins Sam
shot
1-2
78 mins Vuckic
shot
2-2
85 mins Paynter
header
2-3
Full time: Leeds 3 Newcastle 2
The fifth match of Newcastle's pre-season saw them lose out to Championship
side Leeds United in an entertaining contest at a three-sided Elland
Road on Sunday.
Alan Pardew gave Fraser Forster a
further opportunity to stake his claim for the goalkeeping spot, but the 21
year-old endured an afternoon that he'll not remember fondly.
Forster's only previous appearance here saw him slice a clearance to set
up a late winner for Leeds over his Norwich City side in 2009. And
unfortunately the Magpies 'keeper was soon dispensing gifts to the Whites once
again, inexplicably dropping a Robert Snodgrass free kick in his own six yard
box in the fourth minute.
The ball looked as if it would sneak in for an OG, but Leeds defender Patrick
Kisnorbo pounced to touch it into an empty net in front of the aghast away
contingent.
With 13 minutes played Leeds thought they'd doubled their lead from a free kick
taken from about the same distance out on the opposite (right) flank. However
Jonny Howson was adjudged to be offside as he headed home.
Looking to make amends, Joey Barton shot over soon after, before finding space
down the United left and sweeping across a low centre that Demba Ba narrowly
failed to reach at the well-filled Kop end of the ground.
The equaliser then arrived on 35 minutes, proving to be a case of third time
lucky for the orange -clad visitors. A pair of corners from the United right
had already seen Steven Taylor connect with Yohan Cabaye's delivery, only to
plant his header over the bar on both occasions.
However when the Frenchman was given an opportunity to take a flag kick from
the left, he dropped it beyond the far post to where the unmarked Steven Taylor
arrived to powerfully volley home.
Taylor was then the centre of attention at the other end of the field in the
final seconds of the half, looking to have handled the ball in his own area.
However the referee Andy Haines appeared to be guided by his linesman and when
no indicating flag was forthcoming, waved play on.
Newcastle emerged unchanged for the second half, with ex-Elland Road youngster
James Tavernier continuing at left back until Ryan Taylor relieved him before
the hour - Jose Enrique nowhere to be seen.
A further trio of replacements midway through the half then saw messrs Vuckic,
Best and Sammy Ameobi introduced, Shola Ameobi - captain for the day in the
absence of Coloccini - among those replaced.
However Simon Grayson's side took the lead again within seconds, Mike
Williamson, allowing Lloyd Sam to wriggle past him on the byline and somehow
squeeze the ball through Forster's legs from a narrow angle.
The Magpies then enjoyed their best period of the game, Leon Best looking
to have a point to prove and making more of a fist of partnering Ba than Shola
had, perhaps inspired by Ameobi's blarney last week about forming a successful
partnership with the French forward.
Giving the visitors and added dimension down the left also was Sammy Ameobi,
who again had to contend with the distracting vocal "encouragement"
of toon fans but found some joy down the left.
His 76th minute cross saw Barton, Ba and Best all stretch for it, with the
latter looking to make contact and bring a noteworthy block from Leeds 'keeper
Andy Lonergan.
Two minutes later however home debutant Lonergan was picking the ball out his
net after Demba Ba pulled the ball back from the byline and found Haris Vuckic,
who blasted home his second goal in as many first team friendlies.
Paul Dummett was introduced as Newcastle's fifth and final outfield replacement
- going to left back as Danny Simpson went off and Ryan Taylor moved to the
right.
What proved to be the winner came five minutes from time, when Forster was
caught out by a right wing cross and Billy Paynter scored a rare goal.
The much-travelled striker shrugged off Williamson at the far post to supply a
close-range header that went in off the 'keeper and completed a miserable
afternoon.
Biffa