Reserves Warm Up For Wigan

Last updated : 06 October 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

Newcastle United reserves were held 1-1 at Wigan Athletic. United lost Michael Chopra just after the hour, with the striker forced off after a recurrence of a knee problem that has already kept him out for six weeks so far this season.

Chopra had levelled the game from the spot, but a host of missed chances in open play cost Newcastle their second win in a row.

Ulsterman Daryl Smylie was also sent off in the dying stages.

Reserve team coach Tommy Craig: "It was a tough game because both teams were committed. We had the chances to have won handsomely, but Wigan were always in the game. We had to be alert. We missed a host of chances in the first half, and we were beginning to get the upper hand when they went down the park and scored.

"It was a sloppy goal from our point of view. The ball bounced twice in the box, over the head of Robbie Elliott. We didn't clear the danger and their lad stuck it away. We had missed some real chances in the half, and I had to gee them up at half-time. And they went out and worked their socks off.

"We bombarded their goal, then weathered the last five minutes when they had a succession of corners."

NEWCASTLE UNITED RESERVES: Caig, Baxter, Farman, Elliott, Ramage, Gate, Brittain, Smylie, Chopra (Carroll 62), Ameobi, Marshall (Edgar 46). Not used: Forster, Cavener, Critchlow.

* United reserves have been handed a home tie in the Nortumberland Senior Cup against North Shields. A date for the clash is yet to be agreed.