Newcastle reserves began their home league campaign in spectacular style on Tuesday at Whitley Park, recording what was their most resounding victory in twelve seasons of Premier Reserve League competition.

Making nine changes to the side who had drawn 1-1 with Wolves, the Magpies dominated from the first whistle and with the wind in their favour were quickly two goals up.

And by the time Peter Beardsley's side departed for their half time cuppa, they held a four goal advantage and had struck City's goal frame twice.

Dan Gosling converted an 11th minute penalty following a trip on Shane Ferguson, before Greg McDermott shot home to double the advantage three minutes later - new boy Davide Santon opening up City down the left.

And by the 21st minute United had gone further ahead, Ryan Donaldson squaring the ball from the right flank for Michael Richardson to fire past Remi Matthews.

A rare raid from the Canaries on 25 minutes then saw Jay Murphy beat Steve Harper - only for a linesman's offside flag to deny him.

Six minutes before the interval United made it 4-0 when Dan Gosling grabbed his second of the game, heading home a right wing centre from McDermott.

A less explosive second period then saw messrs Guthrie, Santon and Perch replaced, before Ryan Donaldson extended United's advantage with nine minutes to play.

Dan Gosling then struck the woodwork once again as he attempted to complete his treble, before a first goal in our colours from French youngster Yven Moyo in added time made it a round half dozen.

One has to go back almost a decade to the only other occasion when the second string scored six on home territory, thumping Aston Villa 6-1 at Kingston Park.

Then as now, Steve Harper was between the posts for United, while Steve Stone appeared for the visitors - ten years on the Magpies coach was among those watching.

(Harper was also in goal on the occasion of our only other six goal salvo, a 6-3 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Christie Park home of Morecambe in 2004.)

The Magpies included Davide Santon at left back, while there was a rare sighting of Tamas Kadar, in at right back. Following on from Alan Pardew's comment about James Perch providing centre half cover, he was partnered in the middle of defence by Paul Dummett.

First team squad players James Perch, Danny Guthrie, Dan Gosling, Ryan Donaldson, Shane Ferguson and Michael Richardson also got a runout - the latter now returned from a loan spell at Leyton Orient.

Biffa

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