United's second string banished their four league game losing streak in convincing style on Monday , also breaking what had become something of a hoodoo in 2018 at their adopted Whitley Park home.

A low-key opening 30 minutes saw both teams adjusting to the slippery conditions caused by intermittent rain, before the black and whites rediscovered their goal touch just after the half hour. 

Thomas Allan shot the hosts ahead in the 32nd minute, speeding into the Fulham area before shooting low under goalkeeper Taye Hammond.

And four minutes later that lead was doubled when Lewis Cass crossed from the right and striker Elias Sorensen shot home at the second attempt.

Newcastle's main threat in the first period was down the left flank with left back Liam Gibson and winger Adam Wilson causing the visitors problems, but Wilson made way for Achraf Lazaar at half time.

The Moroccan also found room down that flank though and his pinpoint cross to the back post six minutes after the break was met by Sorensen. 

His header was actually going away from goal but struck defender Rob Atkinson and bounced past the goalkeeper, an attempted clearance by Aaron Davies succeeding only to taking the ball over the line.

Fulham got one back in the 73rd minute as Jayden Harris poked home after a goalmouth scramble from a corner and four minutes later the same player's speculative shot embarrassed Freddie Woodman for 2-3.

Juan Cumbreras was introduced for Mo Sangare and had an instant impact after trickery from Lazaar down the left led to a low hard cross that the young Spanish substitute knocked home to secure the points.

4-2 then became 5-2 five minutes from time, when Allan crossed from the right for Sorensen to fire in the fifth in what was a virtual replay of our fourth. 

The Dane had also rattled the visitors' crossbar a few minutes earlier and claimed a first hat trick for the club, although the match correspondent present to compile Premier League statistics logged an OG.

Post-match Sorensen was asked if he'd scored it:

Definitely, I’m claiming that one. I was just thinking straight away, ‘I’ll claim that, and I’ll stick my hand up’.

"We’ll see. I’m not sure if I’ll get it, but hopefully I will. Hopefully I’ll get the matchball too.”

A most welcome three points for Ben Dawson's side also marked a first Whitley Park league success since last December, following six consecutive losses there. 

NUFC Premier Reserve League hat tricks:

Mar 2002 Michael Chopra 58 mins Bradford City (h)
Oct 2002 Michael Chopra 28 mins Bradford City (h)
Jan 2004 Michael Chopra 24 mins Blackburn Rovers (a)
Oct 2005 Michael Chopra 89 mins West Bromwich Albion (h)
Nov 2005 Shola Ameobi 36 mins Aston Villa (a)
Apr 2007 Andy Carroll 16 mins Boro (a)
Jan 2008 Andy Carroll 56 mins Boro (a)
Feb 2009 Mark Doninger 51 mins Boro (h)
Jan 2011 Nile Ranger 38 mins Wigan (h)
Aug 2012 Adam Campbell 34 mins Spurs (h)
Sep 2012 Brad Inman 49 mins Stoke City (a)
Oct 2012 Xisco 33 mins Stoke City (h)
Apr 2013 Gabriel Obertan 74mins Crystal Palace (h)
Sep 2013 Jonathyn Quinn 9 mins West Ham (h)
Aug 2014 Adam Armstrong 50 mins Reading (h)

Biffa