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.