Carlisle 0-3 NUFC

NUFC got off to a good start in pre season with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Carlisle at Brunton Park.

United lined up in the first half with Steve Harper in goal, a back four of Tavernier, Jose, Williamson and Colo, a midfield of Smudger, Nolan, LuaLua and Inman, and Carroll up top with Lovelyhands. 

After a dull first half which Carlisle dominated, United went in at the break level and looked lethargic. Hughton changed the complete XI, and we lined up in the second half with Krul in goal, Saylor, Raylor, Perch and Ferguson at the back, Barton, Routledge, Guthrie and Vuckic in the middle and Ranger and Best up top.

We looked much slicker in the second half, and on 47 minutes we went a goal up when Routledge slipped in Leon Best to score his first goal in Newcastle colours at any level, rounding the keeper and sliding the ball into the open net. Not long after we went two up, when Routledge again went down the right hand side and slid a low ball across to Nile Ranger, who coolly backheeled the ball past ex-Mag Tony Caig and into the net in front of a sold-out away end.

Haris Vuckic wrapped up the victory with probably the goal of the game on 73 minutes, Leon Best found some space down the right, slid the ball across to Vuckic in the area who took a touch with his right and hit a lovely strike on the turn on his left foot across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

All in all, a good runout for our first game back and some encouraging signs from our young guns up front.

The Fairly Truthful Story of Run Geordie Run

Changes to The Singing Section - Suspicious Minds

12th July saw the club release this statement - NEWS - In a nutshell the statement read….

“Given this popularity of this area we have decided to give Season Ticket Holders and Toon Army 12^th Man members exclusive access to the singing section.”

This we think is the first step to ‘diluting’ the atmosphere in this area, as you know by our title we live in Level7 right smack in the middle of Curva Nord….this to us represents the club understanding and knowing exactly who is up there in an attempt (if the rumours are to believed last year) to start clamping down on the standing that currently goes on there and no doubt helps generate an old fashioned football atmosphere.

We are the heart of the ground when it comes to atmosphere and some incredible performances by that part of the crowd last season no doubt helped the lads on when they went unbeaten all season at SJP.

Keep an eye on this space for letters heading to Season Ticket and 12th man members - warning you to sit down or ship out….you read it here first.

I think it’s about time for the club to consider the standing barriers that will not only assist this but generate a bigger crowd, pleasing both parties and assisting the team.

The Blue Monkey parts 7 and 8

@shiteseats are proud to resurect the story of Peter Reid….courtesy of www.football.365 - final parts…

Series dedicated to long suffering pink shirt wearing Everton Fan Dickie H