WIGAN ATHLETIC RES 2
NEWCASTLE UTD RES 0
Premier Reserve League North
Robin Park, Wigan
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Craig Hope reports from Robin Park ...

NEWCASTLE United Reserves saw their four-game unbeaten run come to an end at a blustery Robin Park on Tuesday night.

Second-string coach Adam Sadler was able to include just skipper David Edgar with any first-team experience compared to the Latics who fielded seven players with senior action under their belt.

And it was Nigeria international Julius Aghahowa who fired the hosts into a 17th minute lead, his low drive nestling into Fraser Forster's bottom corner from the edge of the area.

The Magpies were almost on level terms within minutes, England under-17 striker Ryan Donaldson unlucky to see his close range prod evade the hosts' upright from a low Jonny Godsmark centre.

Australia midfielder Josip Skoko then clipped just over from a free-kick before Agahahowa headed against the bar having climbed highest to meet a right-wing delivery.

And there was still time for United midfielder Mark Doninger to shave the post with a free-kick of his own before the break.

But Wigan doubled their advantage nine minutes after the restart, Newcastle full-back Callum Morris inadvertently poking past Forster as he challenged with Honduras defender Maynor Figueroa 12 yards from goal.

Winger James Marwood came close to halving the deficit with a measured curler from another low Godsmark delivery on 68 minutes, and Polish wideman Tomasz Cywka volleyed just wide at the other end moments later.

Wigan, watched by Geordie boss Steve Bruce, were only prevented from extending their lead by a couple of smart Forster saves, before Canadian Edgar came within inches of grabbing a consolation with a near post flick from a James Troisi free-kick in the dying seconds.

WAFC: Russell Saunders, Peter Moore, Maynor Figueroa, Lewis Montrose, Erik Hagen, Andreas Granqvist, Tomasz Cywka, Josip Skoko, Julius Aghahowa, Rachid Bouaouzan (Tomasz Kupisz, 77m), Salomon Olembe
Subs not used: Luke Ashworth, Tim Horn, Craig Mahon, Chris McCaughtrie

NUFC: Fraser Forster, Callum Morris, Tamas Kadar, Ben Tozer, David Edgar, Mark Doninger, James Troisi, Jonny Godsmark, James Marwood, Ryan Donaldson, Wesley Ngo Baheng (Alex Francis, 64m)
Subs not used: Ole Soderberg, Darren Lough, Mark Bertram, Michael McCrudden