GATESHEAD 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 1
NEWCASTLE UNITED (first half): Darlow, Janmaat, Haidara, Lascelles, Williamson, Anita, Colback, Gouffran, Cisse, Sissoko, De Jong.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (second half): Woodman, Bigirimana, Satka, Good, Ferguson, Tiote, Obertan, Aarons, Perez, Armstrong, Riviere.
Newcastle United's need for firepower was on show in their opening friendly of the summer against Gateshead.
Some of the same problems which haunted them for long periods last term returned.
OK, this was only a friendly, the Toon players struggled to hit "a cow's arse with a banjo".
Had it not been for Papiss Cisse’s penalty it could have been a stuttering start for the new regime.
The game’s first chance fell to Siem De Jong after a left-wing cross from Massadio Haidara but he fired over the top.
Three minutes later Newcastle took the lead when Haidara was fouled in the box by Simon Ramsden.
After a small debate between De Jong and Papiss Cisse, the Senegal international stepped up to fire the ball to the right of the goal to beat Sam Russell.
On 15 minutes De Jong headed over the top with a header as United piled on the early pressure.
Moussa Sissoko wasted a great chance after weaving his way into the box from Cisse’s backheel on half an hour but Newcastle were good value for their lead in the early stages despite an early contender for sitter of the season.
Gateshead offered little in return but on 41 minutes James Marwood struck a free-kick from 30 yards wide.
United responded with Cisse’s overhead kick but it was held easily by Russell.
The second half started with 11 changes for the Magpies.
The lead should have been extended when Adam Armstrong and Manu Riviere both carved out chances in the opening exchanges of the second half before sending the ball wide of the target.
On the hour Riviere slipped the ball to Rolando Aarons but he was denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald.
Newcastle’s failure to take chances left the game open and midway through the second half Gael Bigirimana conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box.
However, Marwood curled the ball straight into the arms of MacDonald.
Aarons made a powerful run down the right before curling wide with 18 minutes left as United struggled to seal the game.
With seven minutes to go, Armstrong was gifted the perfect chance to cap the night off.
MacDonald punted the ball straight to him on the left of the penalty area but the Geordie boy’s shot lacked power and allowed the keeper enough time to recover.
It summed a poor night of finishing and merely underlined the desperation for the Magpies to sign a new striker because make no doubt about it there are tougher tests ahead.
THE TOON'S GREATEST 100 PLAYERS ... EVER!
This book is a collection of the 100 Greatest Newcastle United players of all time, as voted for by NewcastleUtd-Mad.co.uk readers and a panel of journalists who contribute to the website. The players are in an order of five-per-chapter, counting down from 100 to Newcastle United's greatest ever player (as viewed by the author), but the whole point of the book is for YOU (the reader) to decide who goes where. The list is not, by any means, definitive. As with all books of this nature, whether it be "Greatest Albums"; "Best Movies Of All Time"; or "Top 100 Pin-Ups Of The Year" ... no two people have exactly the same opinion. There will be controversy over who is on the list, and chances are, more controversy over who is not. Here are the best of the best. I have painted the picture with each player's profile. Where they end up in the league of NUFC's Greatest is up to you. Because YOU have the final word.
Otherwise ... if you want a signed copy (for a birthday, etc) for £9.95 and no postage ... you can meet me before a match and I will bring a copy along.
Get in touch: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Tue 14th July (8pm CT)
Club Atlas (MEX) at Miller Park, Milwaukee (USA)
Sat 18th July (8pm UTC)
Sacramento Republic FC (USA) at Bonney Field, Sacramento (USA)
Tue 21st July (7.30pm UTC)
Portland Timbers (USA) at Providence Park, Portland (USA)
Sun 26th July (1pm BST)
Sheffield United at Bramall Lane
Wed 29th July (7.45pm BST)
York City at Bootham Crescent
Sat 1st August (3pm BST)
Borussia Mönchengladbach (GER) at St. James’ Park