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2024 CORPORATE GOLF DAY
16th May 2024
After going behind on the hour mark to an Andy Carroll goal, United fought back to earn a deserved draw when David Goodwillie scored from the penalty spot in the 85th minute following Danny Swanson's earlier miss from the same distance which appeared to have seen the Terrors miss their chance.
Craig Levein gave starts to summer signings Stevie Banks, Andy Webster and Danny Cadamarteri as United looked to try and match their 3-1 defeat of the Tyneside club in their last friendly outing 10 years ago.
There was also a strong looking bench including Craig Conway, Garry Kenneth, Paul Dixon and Jennison Myrie-Williams. Visitors Newcastle fielded a strong looking line up with several recognisable names such as Steven Taylor, Kevin Nolan, Damien Duff and Alan Smith on display for what promised to be an interesting 90 minutes.
In typical pre-season fashion the game was played at a slow pace with both sides enjoying some good spells of possession. Kevin Nolan stepped inside Darren Dods at the edge of the box early on but couldn't connect properly with an attempted half volley which Stevie Banks watched drift comfortably wide of his right post. Newcastle came closer a few minutes later when a headed clearance from Damien Duff's cross fell to Joey Barton in plenty space inside the United box. The midfielder hit his shot low and hard towards goal but Dods was there to make the block with a goal looking likely. In 19 minutes Danny Swanson broke from midfield for United and, after combining well with Cadamarteri at the edge of the box, shot towards goal only to have his effort blocked for a corner. With just over half an hour played United then threatened again when Scott Robertson drilled a shot low into a ruck of players following a Swanson corner before Swanson then came as close to scoring as anyone in tangerine had done during the opening 45 when he had a well struck half volley from the edge of the area held by Harper after Goodwillie had headed on a Sean Dillon cross into his path. As half time approached, Newcastle went forward again as the lively Duff teed up Carroll with a free header 6 yards out but fortunately for the hosts Banks gathered comfortably on his goal line. Barton then made Banks work a bit harder with a right foot shot from all of 25 yards that the goalkeeper had to carefully turn around the post for a corner to keep the game goalless at the interval.
5 minutes into the second half United had a great opportunity when Scott Robertson fed half time substitute Craig Conway into acres of space down the left wing. He had time to drive into the box and pick out Prince Buaben who shot over the bar from 10 yards out after appearing to try and take too much care over placing his side footed shot. Despite making the brighter start to the half however, the home side found themselves a goal down after the hour. Nolan sent in a cross deep to the back post which the unfortunate Banks couldn't quite reach, allowing the ball to fall kindly to Andy Carroll who had the simple task of cutting inside and slotting the ball into the net. Six minutes later the hosts had the perfect chance to equalise when the referee awarded United a penalty after the ball bounced up awkwardly for Nolan who was adjudged to have handled in the process. Swanson stepped up to take the kick but despite striking the ball firmly towards the right corner visiting keeper Harper pulled off a great save then watched as Morgaro Gomis turned the rebound over the bar. Barton could have made it 2-0 in the 70th minute after being put clean through on goal but Banks again reacted quickly to make a great block from point blank range before Carroll skied the rebound under intense pressure from Dods. Jose Enrique came to Newcastle's rescue in the 83rd minute clearing an Andy Webster glancing header off the line as United pressed for the equaliser. They were to be rewarded with five minutes remaining as the referee awarded the Tangerines their second penalty of the afternoon, this time following a clear tug in the box on Conway. Goodwillie this time took the responsibility and showed no nerves as he slammed the ball high into the top corner to the delight of the Tangerine Army behind the goal. United then had a glorious chance to go ahead moments later as Myrie-Williams crossed to Conway at the far side of the area. He controlled well before firing inches over the bar before Banks then kept the game level in the dying seconds pulling off a great save from a Steven Taylor shot.
Full Time Summary: All in all it was a fair result and a satisfying afternoon for both camps who put on a good show, especially in the second half. United more than held their own and several home players were among the top performers on the day as they showed great character in coming back from a goal down.
United: Banks, Dillon (Dixon 45), Webster, Dods (c), S Robertson, Cadamarteri (Conway 45), Swanson (Myrie-Williams 75), Buaben, Gomis (McCord 84), Kovacevic, Goodwillie. Subs not used - Grant, D Robertson, Kenneth, Cameron, Russell, Smith.
Newcastle: Harper, Enrique, Nolan, Barton (Lualua 75), Duff (Geremi 88), R Taylor, Smith (c), Gutierrez, Carroll, S Taylor, Kadar. Subs Not Used - Krul,Tozer, Davidson, Vickic.
Attendance - 8,876
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
Craig Levein gave starts to summer signings Stevie Banks, Andy Webster and Danny Cadamarteri as United looked to try and match their 3-1 defeat of the Tyneside club in their last friendly outing 10 years ago.
There was also a strong looking bench including Craig Conway, Garry Kenneth, Paul Dixon and Jennison Myrie-Williams. Visitors Newcastle fielded a strong looking line up with several recognisable names such as Steven Taylor, Kevin Nolan, Damien Duff and Alan Smith on display for what promised to be an interesting 90 minutes.
In typical pre-season fashion the game was played at a slow pace with both sides enjoying some good spells of possession. Kevin Nolan stepped inside Darren Dods at the edge of the box early on but couldn't connect properly with an attempted half volley which Stevie Banks watched drift comfortably wide of his right post. Newcastle came closer a few minutes later when a headed clearance from Damien Duff's cross fell to Joey Barton in plenty space inside the United box. The midfielder hit his shot low and hard towards goal but Dods was there to make the block with a goal looking likely. In 19 minutes Danny Swanson broke from midfield for United and, after combining well with Cadamarteri at the edge of the box, shot towards goal only to have his effort blocked for a corner. With just over half an hour played United then threatened again when Scott Robertson drilled a shot low into a ruck of players following a Swanson corner before Swanson then came as close to scoring as anyone in tangerine had done during the opening 45 when he had a well struck half volley from the edge of the area held by Harper after Goodwillie had headed on a Sean Dillon cross into his path. As half time approached, Newcastle went forward again as the lively Duff teed up Carroll with a free header 6 yards out but fortunately for the hosts Banks gathered comfortably on his goal line. Barton then made Banks work a bit harder with a right foot shot from all of 25 yards that the goalkeeper had to carefully turn around the post for a corner to keep the game goalless at the interval.
5 minutes into the second half United had a great opportunity when Scott Robertson fed half time substitute Craig Conway into acres of space down the left wing. He had time to drive into the box and pick out Prince Buaben who shot over the bar from 10 yards out after appearing to try and take too much care over placing his side footed shot. Despite making the brighter start to the half however, the home side found themselves a goal down after the hour. Nolan sent in a cross deep to the back post which the unfortunate Banks couldn't quite reach, allowing the ball to fall kindly to Andy Carroll who had the simple task of cutting inside and slotting the ball into the net. Six minutes later the hosts had the perfect chance to equalise when the referee awarded United a penalty after the ball bounced up awkwardly for Nolan who was adjudged to have handled in the process. Swanson stepped up to take the kick but despite striking the ball firmly towards the right corner visiting keeper Harper pulled off a great save then watched as Morgaro Gomis turned the rebound over the bar. Barton could have made it 2-0 in the 70th minute after being put clean through on goal but Banks again reacted quickly to make a great block from point blank range before Carroll skied the rebound under intense pressure from Dods. Jose Enrique came to Newcastle's rescue in the 83rd minute clearing an Andy Webster glancing header off the line as United pressed for the equaliser. They were to be rewarded with five minutes remaining as the referee awarded the Tangerines their second penalty of the afternoon, this time following a clear tug in the box on Conway. Goodwillie this time took the responsibility and showed no nerves as he slammed the ball high into the top corner to the delight of the Tangerine Army behind the goal. United then had a glorious chance to go ahead moments later as Myrie-Williams crossed to Conway at the far side of the area. He controlled well before firing inches over the bar before Banks then kept the game level in the dying seconds pulling off a great save from a Steven Taylor shot.
Full Time Summary: All in all it was a fair result and a satisfying afternoon for both camps who put on a good show, especially in the second half. United more than held their own and several home players were among the top performers on the day as they showed great character in coming back from a goal down.
United: Banks, Dillon (Dixon 45), Webster, Dods (c), S Robertson, Cadamarteri (Conway 45), Swanson (Myrie-Williams 75), Buaben, Gomis (McCord 84), Kovacevic, Goodwillie. Subs not used - Grant, D Robertson, Kenneth, Cameron, Russell, Smith.
Newcastle: Harper, Enrique, Nolan, Barton (Lualua 75), Duff (Geremi 88), R Taylor, Smith (c), Gutierrez, Carroll, S Taylor, Kadar. Subs Not Used - Krul,Tozer, Davidson, Vickic.
Attendance - 8,876
Click here for the full report by Ally Stewart.
