Newcastle's U21s began life in the lower division of the Premier Reserve League by sharing six goals with the Trotters on Monday. Loan signing Facundo Ferreyra was included but there was no place for Hatem Ben Arfa, whose only match time in pre-season came in two low-key reserve kickabouts.

Wearing their new home kit, United dominated the early stages, only to concede on 20 minutes when Andy Kellett broke forward before shooting past Jak Alnwick. However the visitors kept pressing, Greg Olley seeing an effort tipped on to the post by Ross Fitzsimmons for one of a series of corners.

And they were soon level, when Facundo "Chucky" Ferreyra volleyed home just before the half hour mark. The on-loan striker then challenged for a corner with a Trotters player after 34 minutes, the ball ending up squeezing in past Fitzsimmons at his near post, with Ferreyra congratulated by his colleagues. However the goal was later officially credited to home defender Andy Hughes. 

Back came Bolton though and Andy Kellett promptly grabbed his second goal of the evening with another eye-catching effort barely 60 seconds later. A goal-laden first half continued as Bolton regained the lead on 41 minutes though Chris Lester, but United weren't finished yet though and Sammy Ameobi struck to make it 3-3 shortly before the interval.

Almost inevitably the second period failed to emulate its goal-laden predecessor and neither goalkeeper was seriously tested before the full time whistle blew.

United finished 21st in last season's 22 team competition, kept off bottom spot only by Blackburn Rovers. Their final 10 league outings brought just one win and a draw, while the only meeting with Bolton ended in a 1-1 stalemate on Tyneside.