Magpies break through Iron’s curtain (eventually) Scunthorpe v Newcastle full report, highlights.

Posted on August 26th, 2011 | 14 Comments |

Ryan Taylor prepares for more set piece glory.
Ryan Taylor prepares for more set piece glory.
Messrs Ryan Taylor and Ameobi Junior spared United’s blushes at Glanford Park, as Newcastle battled back from a goal down at half-time to put their name in the hat this Saturday for the League Cup 3rd round draw.

As I found my way to the turnstiles, and to get me in the mood for the match, I purchased the match day program (£3) and happened across the usual ‘all about Newcastle United’ section. There was an insightful piece about the deadly ex-Newcastle United striker, Paul Dalglish, titled ‘Whatever Happened to Paul Dalglish?’ I remember frequently asking myself the same question after he had played a match for us, as his impact on Tyneside was minimal. Anyway, turns out that the Dalglish article was not a ‘wind up’ from our hosts and he used to play for the Irons.

Before the match kicked-off and as the team news filtered through, I was slightly disappointed that Haris Vuckic found himself on the Magpies bench. I was looking forward to getting a good look at him, but little did I know that the match would progress into extra-time and I would get the chance to see the young Slovenian. It was good to know that Dan Gosling was about to get his first competitive start and Sylvain Marveaux was to make his Magpies debut.

As the teams came out and kick-off approached, I noticed every Newcastle player walk over to each other and give themselves some encouragement. It looked like a mini display of team-spirit, something that this team prides themselves on. The Toon Army were in good voice, the Irons fans were half asleep. The referee put his whistle to his lips and then the match began.

It was around the 14th minute that I awoke to find something was actually happening. Chris Dagnall got on the end of a flick from a corner and made no mistake from 6 yards, firing past Tim Krul. Cue pandemonium from the Home supporters who until then, had not made a sound. As usual Newcastle’s shoddy performance thus far hadn’t silenced the travelling fans, as renditions of “Oh Ryan” and “Over the wall” were continually sung by the Geordie Choir.

As the half hour approached, Newcastle won a free-kick around 25 yards from the Scunthorpe goal, but Ryan Taylor couldn’t direct his shot on target and it flew wide. Mike Williamson (shock horror) picked up an injury just before the end of the first-half and was replaced by Steven Taylor. During the stoppage for Williamson’s injury, I noticed Danny Simpson debating something with Yohan Cabaye, probably because Cabaye was having a nightmare and spent most of the first-half trying to get with the pace of the game. In fairness to Cabaye, he wasn’t the only one having a nightmare out there. Demba Ba looked very slow, Gosling miss-placed nearly every pass and Mike Williamson looked nervy. However, Sylvain Marveaux looked good and Tim Krul looked like he was justifying his place as Newcastle’s number one ‘keeper after some very good saves.

I had a good look at Danny Simpson’s performance first-half and I must say I wasn’t impressed with him. There were at least 3 occasions Bobby Grant had the beating of him down the right side and every time Simpson gets the ball, he either stops and passes it (like netball) or runs backwards. There is no way he is England quality, as some pundits (Stan Collymore) have suggested. Anyway Newcastle’s first-half performance stank and I began to think we had another Stevenage scenario on our hands.

Scunthorpe United 1 – 0 Newcastle United (half-time).

During half-time, Something must have been said by Pardew, as Newcastle began the 2nd half with some urgency and actually managed to string more than three consecutive passes together as Leon Best had a goal chalked off for offside. Due to my positioning at the ground and lack of a replay, I can’t be sure if the offside was correct or not. Either way, Newcastle started to play some football and you could sense a goal coming. About 3 minutes after Best’s ‘goal’ was disallowed, Peter Lovenkrands broke forward only to blast his effort over the bar; cue “Signed on a free from Germany” chants. Best and Gosling had further chances for the Magpies and eventually Sammy Ameobi replaced the disappointing Demba Ba and 10 minutes later Gosling was replaced by Haris Vuckic. I should imagine Gosling was a little upset with his performance, but I noticed Pardew give him a pat on the back to keep his spirits up. This was Gosling’s first start for Newcastle and I think he’s going to be a great player for us.

Around the 70th minute saw Krul pull off a wonder save, as a close range header was deflected towards goal with Krul somehow able to stick his arm out and turn it away. The save looked stunning in real time and if any of you reading this can point me in the direction of a replay I would very much appreciate it. The save drew a round of applause from both ends of the pitch and had it gone in, the score would have been 2-0 and probably game over.

The Newcastle fans frustration at missing numerous chances, eventually meant that they chanted “spend some f**king money” which actually drew an applause from the Scunthorpe end. The ‘money’ chants only lasted for about 30 seconds though…

About 5 minutes later, the importance of Krul’s save was evident as Ryan Taylor curled in another superb free-kick from around 25 yard out.

“Just like the Mackems it’s over the wall!”

Finally Newcastle had a breakthrough, courtesy of stand in left-back Taylor. I’m starting to think, even though he is better deployed as a right-midfielder, it wouldn’t hurt to switch him to right-back and give him a good run of games to get accustom to the position (if we sign a left-back of course!) That right-foot is deadly and his set-pieces actually clear the first man, unlike Barton who’s free-kicks have been poor of late.

Taylor’s confidence began to grow and he started to break forward more often. On around 82 minutes he was released by Ameobi and looked to have been nudged to the ground while in the box. Now since I was wearing my black and white tinted glasses, I screamed for a penalty. I can’t be sure whether the decision to not award one was correct, I think maybe that it would have been harsh on Scunthorpe if it was.

Ameobi and Vuckic looked very impressive after their arrival. Sammy was demonstrating his pace down the left flank and Vuckic was showing his technical ability through the centre. Newcastle tried to finish the game off, urgently getting the ball forward. Leon Best was doing well in his hold-up play, but lacked the finishing touch and Marveaux showed some neat and tidy touches with a good turn of pace. Cabaye sat deeper in the 2nd half and looked much better as the game began to slow. I think coming from Ligue 1 means he has struggled a little with the pace of English football. Once he gets a bit more used to the 100mph nature of our game, he’ll be an excellent acquisition for Newcastle.

90 minutes were eventually up, after the referee somehow decided on adding 5 stoppage time minutes. I started to think we were on course for a penalty shoot-out. I love penalty’s usually, unless they involve England or Newcastle! On to extra time…

Scunthorpe United 1 – 1 Newcastle United (after 90 minutes).

Not too many notable events occurred during the first half of extra-time. The Scunthorpe P.A announced to the Newcastle fans that the last coach to the station was about to leave, which resulted in cheers from the Scunthorpe end and a few laughs from the Newcastle end also.

On to the 2nd half of extra-time and it was Sammy Ameobi who ran down the left flank, cut inside and fired a right-footed shot past the ‘keeper. Sammy ran towards the Toon Army but was pulled down by Best, as the rest of the team piled on top of him to celebrate a stunning strike and his first competitive goal for the Magpies. The crowd also decided to stay in the stands, despite chants of “if Sammy scores we’re on the pitch”. I noticed the Scunthorpe players fall to their knees as Sammy’s shot flew in and I have to say I felt sorry for them. They proved to be a real test for us and if it wasn’t for Krul’s wonder save, they would probably be the ones in the hat for the 3rd round draw.

Scunthorpe United 1 – 2 Newcastle United (A.E.T).

All in all it was a good night out and a real cracker of a game. It was a proper cup tie and you have to give credit to Scunthorpe for an excellent performance from them. Newcastle’s first-half effort was awful, meaning that the first three games of this season they have performed poorly in the first 45 minutes. Whether or not the tactics are wrong or the lads need a rocket to get them going I don’t know. Newcastle were fortunate to be only one down at half-time and there overall play was poor. The lads seem to be unable to pass the ball first-half and resort to aimlessly punting long balls forward. Second half they passed the ball much better and looked a good side. Leon Best did well though he missed a few chances. He showed his hold-up play was good however and won the ball in the air on numerous occasions. His flick ons were into good areas, but we had nobody busting a gut to get on to them. The need for a ‘pacy’ striker was evident during this match in particular.

Marveaux, Vuckic and Ameobi were the real plus points come the end of the match. It was Tim Krul though who should get the plaudits, he was outstanding.

So thankfully Newcastle find themselves in the draw for round 3 on Saturday. Hopefully the draw will be kind to us for once and we can avoid the ‘big boys’ unlike last season where we had to face Chelsea, followed by Arsenal.

I was going to give you all a little review on the quality of the half-time food at Scunthorpe United but unfortunately I treated myself to a XL bacon double cheeseburger meal and a Chicken Royale before the match so I wasn’t hungry. It had been a while since I treated myself to some junk food and I thought I may as well make the most of it.

The Hot Chocolates at the ground were ace though.

Howay The Lads.

Scunthorpe (4-4-2): Lillis(G), Wright, Nelson, Canavan, Nolan; Ryan, Togwell, Norwood, Barcham; Dagnall (Duffy 88), Grant (Thompson 77). Booked: Wright.

Subs: Slocombe, Collins, Godden, Palmer, Thewlis.

Newcastle (4-4-2): Krul; Simpson, Williamson (S Taylor 44), Coloccini, R Taylor; Lovenkrands, Gosling (Vuckic 70), Cabaye, Marveaux; Ba (Ameobi 65), Best.

Subs: Soderberg, Abeid, Smith, Ferguson. Booked: S Taylor, Cabaye.

Referee: Graham Salisbury.

Match highlights

NUFCBlog Author: Jimbob Backpacker extraordinaire and current resident of sunny Sheffield. Loves Marmite, hates peanut butter. Sleeps twice a day, wrestles Polar Bears because he can and regards himself as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce. Jimbob has written 40 articles on this blog.

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14 Responses

  1. Absolutely love it Jimbob, from the professional little precis of the whole match in the opening paragraph, through the little Paul ‘nepotism’ Dalglish bit from the programme and on through the match coverage proper.

    Top notch stuff and all the better for it being from the game itself. You really know how to do this.

  2. Aren’t wetspam the ‘irons’ & sQUNThorpe the ‘iron’?
    Just in case we get the disgruntled scunny fans moaning like.
    Not a criticism just an observation jimbob,
    good stuff mate!

    ;)

  3. CLiNT FLiCK says:
    August 26, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    “Aren’t wetspam the ‘irons’ & sQUNThorpe the ‘iron’?”

    Well it possesive singular in the title Clint, otherwise it would have been ‘Irons” rather than ‘Iron’s’ if you know what I mean?

  4. worky,
    i thought there was no actual definite article & they were just ‘Iron’, obviously, i could well be mental or just plain wrong, delete as apt.

    :)

  5. IT’S BEERS GALORE WHEN BOTH TEAMS SCORE

    SWANSEA V SUNDERLAND

    HULL V READING

    IPSWICH V LEEDS