NEWCASTLE UNITED RES 2
BLACKBURN ROVERS RES 4
Premier Reserve League
Kingston Park
Monday, November 26, 2007

ADAM Sadler's reign as reserve team coach got off to a losing start as visitors Blackburn recorded a 4-2 success at Kingston Park.

It was the 27-year-old's first game in charge of the second-string having taken over from new Norwich City assistant Lee Clark earlier this month.

And in the end Newcastle paid the price for their sloppy first-half defending which allowed Rovers to race into a three-goal lead.

Blackburn, managed by former Magpie Glyn Hodges, were in front after just four minutes.

Winger Keith Treacy shooting right-footed past the despairing dive of Fraser Forster after Tony Kane's right-wing centre had somehow been allowed to travel through a crowd of black and white bodies.

Treacy then turned provider for the visitors' second, his corner again finding its way through a crowded penalty area before unmarked striker Marcus Marshall (21) headed in from close range.

And things got worse just three minutes later, Josh O'Keefe breaking from midfield to fire home via the post after latching onto Jamie Clarke's clever throughball.

Shola Ameobi, continuing his comeback from the groin injury sustained at Arsenal in September, was the only first-team star on show for the Geordies.

And the 26-year-old went close with a fizzing 20-yard strike as a resurgent United emerged after the break.

Aussie winger James Troisi saw a shot whistle just over for the hosts before Clarke (55) got his name on the scoresheet to seal the points for the Lancashire outfit.

The centre-forward finished low from 12 yards after spinning away from the challenge of Toon defender Alex Francis on the edge of the area.

But, trailing by four goals, the Magpies spirited rally came all too late.

Dutch sub Frank Wiafe Danquah (83) was first to pull one back with a cool finish from the penalty spot after O'Keefe had handled inside the area.

And Sadler's young charges added a deserved second with four minutes left on the clock to give the scoreline a more accurate reflection.

It was full-back Kane who eventually turned into his own net as he tried to clear the loose ball following a three-man collision involving Ameobi, keeper Gunnar Neilsen and defender Dean Winnard on the edge of the six-yard box.

NUFC: Fraser Forster, Mark Bertram, Darren Lough, Mark Doninger, Alex Francis, David Edgar, Jonny Godsmark, James Troisi, Ryan Donaldson (Frank Wiafe Danquah, 73m) Shola Ameobi, Kazenga LuaLua
Subs not used: Alex Patterson, James Marwood, Callum Morris, Patrick McLaughlin

BRFC: Gunnar Neilsen, Tony Kane, Martin Olsson, Josh O'Keefe, Dean Winnard, Gavin Gunning, Aaron Doran (Michael O'Connor, 75m), Alan Judge, Marcus Marshall, Jamie Clarke, Keith Tracey
Subs not used: Mark King, Andreas Arestidou, Jonathan Bateson, Kris Patterson