United's second string kicked off their preparations for the forthcoming Professional Development League season by registering a quartet of eye-catching goals against their Conference Premier League neighbours on Wednesday.

Efforts from Mehdi Abeid, Romain Amalfitano, Conor Newton and Marcus Maddison entertained over 1,000 fans at the International Stadium, while there was a first outing for newly-arrived central defender Curtis Good.

Almost twelve months to the day last year, Alan Pardew oversaw a 3-1 success on this ground by what was ostensibly a reserve side but which included Mike Williamson, Alan Smith, Steve Harper and Ryan Taylor.

And in addition to fielding a younger and less experienced side a year later, Newcastle's second string preparations have markedly altered this time round compared to 2011 - when this was our seventh warm-up fixture.

A further strong hint of Rob Elliot's relegation to third choice custodian in favour of Steve Harper came with his inclusion in the starting XI and the 26 year-old 'keeper was by far the oldest member of a lineup with precisely zero Premier League appearances to its name.

Midfielder Mehdi Abeid has already found the net for the senior side this season but his sixth minute opener was a class above that strike in Austria - picking up a loose ball here and leathering home an unstoppable 25 yarder past former Magpies 'keeper Adam Bartlett.

And midway through the opening half, it was the turn of Amalfitano to add his name to the scoresheet, sprinting from his own half at the head of a counter-attack and feigning a pass to striker JJ Hooper before ploughing on into the Heed area and confidently hitting the target.

Back came Gateshead though and Micky Cummins volleyed in Glen Wilson's long throw-in from the right flank in the 26th minute, after ghosting in behind the United defence.

Ian Bogie's Tynesiders then made numerous changes at the interval as they went in search of an equaliser, with former Gateshead loanee Paul Dummett ideally placed to block a 48th minute goalbound effort from James Curtis.

Ex-Newcastle pair James Marwood and Ryan McGorrigan augmented the home attack and the latter agonisingly lofted a first time effort over the bar in the 65th minute.

That proved to be as good as it got for Gateshead, as McGorrigan's former toon team mate Marcus Maddison played a pivotal role in our third goal on 72 minutes.

On as a substitute and having made little headway down the United right, Maddison moved inside and tried his luck from distance, with his shot deflecting out for a corner.

Maddison then took the flag kick and picked out Conor Newton who powered his header into the top corner to make it 3-1. And just a minute later, Maddison rounded off the scoring with a fine solo effort, expertly dinking the ball beyond the advancing Bartlett.

Biffa

Reports