2mins Beardsley 1-0

23mins Armstrong 2-0

44mins Campbell 3-0

Half time: Harmy 0 Toon Army 3

49mins Armstrong 4-0

58mins Johnson 4-1 

62mins Holmes 4-2

64mins Mustard 4-3

70mins Armstrong 5-3

72mins Aarons penalty 6-3

85mins Tavernier 7-3

88mins Aarons 8-3

Full time: Harmy 3 Toon Army 8

As part of his benefit year, Durham and England fast bowler Steve Harmison led a Northern League XI against a Newcastle United XI in a football match staged in his home town of Ashington on a blustery Thursday evening. 

Peter Beardsley opened the scoring after just two minutes and Adam Armstrong doubled the lead in the 23rd minute after good work from James Tavernier and Adam Campbell.

Campbell made it 3-0 just before the break with an easy side-foot finish after Tavernier had cut the ball back and Armstrong got United's fourth, four minutes into the second half with a shot across the 'keeper that went in off the far post.

Back came the Northern League XI with three quick goals, Andrew Johnson of Ashington getting the first on 58 minutes, Blyth's Dean Holmes the second four minutes later and then Durham cricketer Phil Mustard the third on 64 minutes.

Armstrong tapped the ball in for his hat-trick after the 'keeper parried to make it 5-3 in the 70th minute and then two minutes later Rolando Aarons sent the 'keeper the wrong way from the spot after he was fouled in the area.

Tavernier made it 7-3 in the 85th minute with a fine strike into the roof of the net from the edge of the box and Aarons completed the scoring with a powerful drive with two minutes remaining.

The game had been pencilled in for Massadio Haidara's first appearance at any level this season but he was withdrawn from the squad, coached by John Carver.

In addition to Beardsley, Magpies coaches Steve Stone, Kevin Richardson and Dave Watson also appeared for the black and whites. Newcastle United Foundation coach Paul Robinson turned out for Harmison's side (not the former Magpie striker of the same name though).

Thanks to GW