Sammy Ameobi Leads Newcastle "Reserves" to 3-1 Victory at Gateshead

Newcastle United easily beat Gateshead FC 3-1 on Tuesday in a reserve friendly that featured appearances by many players in contention for the senior squad.  Sammy Ameobi, who is expected to continue to ply his trade with the second team this season, scored two goals before a third was added via an own goal by Gateshead center back James Curtis. (Thankfully, nobody stormed the pitch.)

Steve Harper started in goal and also wore the armband for the Magpies in what Alan Pardew called his last tryout for the starting position (Tim Krul is expected to start against Fiorentina on Saturday), and he didn't allow any open play goals, though the Heed did score a penalty and hit the post on two separate occasions.  Pardew called the shots from the dugout and employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, perhaps a foreshadowing of developments to come. Overall, about what should have been expected.  Two preseason friendlies remain: a reserve squad match at Ashington on the 5th, followed by the first team hosting ACF Fiorentina the next day.

Gateshead: Farman | Odhiambo (Baxter 77), Curtis, Clark (c), Carruthers | Nix (Cummins 46), Gate, Turnbull | Odubade, Fisher (Gillies 73), Moore

Subs not used: Deasy, Moyes, Briggs, Brittain, Mulligan

Goals: Nix PEN 9

Newcastle: Harper (c) | Richardson, Tavernier, Williamson (Moyo 62), Dummett | Smith (McDermott 78), Abeid | Ryan Taylor (Donaldson 78), Vuckic (Airey 88), Sammy Ameobi; Ranger

Subs not used: Soderberg, Nzuzi, Inman, Edmundsson

Goals: Ameobi 13, 62; OG Curtis 39