Photo credit: Richard Leach

United's second XI began their pre-season preparations with a comfortable win over their National League North hosts on Sunday, in a match celebrating the life of ex Magpie and Avenue player Donald Simpson Bell VC.

Bell's former clubs met one hundred years to the day that he was killed during the battle of the Somme and 36 of his relatives were among invited guests at the Horsfall Stadium in Bradford that also included soldiers from his former regiment, The Green Howards.

PA Vice-President John Helm (the TV sports commentator) presided over a short ceremony on the pitch honouring Bell that ended with a solo rendition of "The Last Post" while Bradford wore a new home shirt design replicating that which Bell would have worn during his time playing for them.

Kicking off in bright sunshine, the hosts began strongly and wasted two decent chances in the opening three minutes - before the Lord Mayor of Bradford had taken his seat in the main stand.

United scored from their first attack on 13 minutes, the lively Callum Roberts darting into the area before pulling the ball back for Ivan Toney to tuck a low shot almost apologetically inside the post.

Debuting their new home kit, Newcastle proceeded to dominate the midfield but fashion few chances to add further goals until the closing stages of the half.

Haris Vuckic saw one effort blocked in the 39th minute, a Roberts free kick was saved by 'keeper Ryan Jones soon after and he then denied Vuckic again after he latched on to a quickly-taken free kick on the right. 

By that point blue skies had given way to heavy rain showers, ensuring that the VIPs were rather soggy by the time they made it to the corporate marquee. Obviously au fait with local weather conditions, the Lord Mayor had come equipped with an official brolly.....

When they emerged after an extended half time interval, they were greeted by an entirely different Newcastle XI including a trio of trialists. Portuguese striker Flavio Da Silva, former Plymouth Argyle midfielder Tyler Harvey and London-based defender George Ede appeared - although number changes from those printed on the teamsheet led to some confusion as to who was exactly who.

United doubled their lead on 56 minutes when Sean Longstaff timed his run into the box perfectly before curling a low shot round replacement 'keeper Grahame McKibbin and into the net.

Stefan Broccoli saw his strike blocked just after the hour and with Da Silva showing some good touches, further goals for the visitors looked likely.

Trialist Tyler Harvey saw one effort saved and blazed another over the crossbar when well placed, before keeping his composure to fire home from inside the box with seven minutes remaining.

There was a first outing in central defence for recent arrival Stuart Findlay, but fellow new boy Yasin Ben El-Mhanni didn't make his Magpies bow.

Macauley Gillesphey and Alex Gilliead returned after their loan spells at Carlisle United, while Lubo Satka and Kyle Cameron played following postings to York City. Liam Smith also featured after returning from Blackpool.

Gael Bigirimana (Coventry City), Ivan Toney (Barnsley) and Haris Vuckic (Wigan Athletic) were in action for their parent club, but Sammy Ameobi wasn't present. 



PS: Although this was United's first-ever visit to Horsfall Stadium, we're by no means unfamiliar opponents to PA from their former incarnation as a Football League club.

This model of their former Park Avenue home (around three miles from their current ground) is in the bar, along with a small exhibition devoted to Len Shackleton, who played for both clubs. FA Cup winner Jimmy Scoular meanwhile served as PA manager after leaving Gallowgate in 1960.

Excluding War matches, Newcastle met Park Avenue competitively 21 times between 1914 and 1949 - today's scoreline replicating a 3-0 success in our most recent visit to PA, in November 1947.

Dropping out of the Football League in 1970, they later reformed as a Sunday league side and re-entered the non-league pyramid in 1989. Leaving their spiritual home in 1973, a brief return was possible in the later 1980s under partial redevelopment sent them to Horsfall Stadium. 

Park Avenue remains in existence as a local cricket ground, having hosted first class games for over a century until 1996.

Biffa