A new addition to Talk Of The Tyne see’s Claire Duke begin reporting for us, Clare follows Newcastle United and attends as many, if not all Reserve games too, so welcome aboard Clare – first up, NUFC entertain Hartlepool at St James’ Park…

Tuesdays fixture switched to St James’ Park as Newcastle reserves took on Hartlepool, with a trial run for a potential new target in Fabrice Pancrate.

The 29 year old French winger was released by PSG in the summer after five years with French Ligue 1 side who finished 6th last season. Reportedly one of the most dangerous players in the air whilst at PSG.

In front of a good show with free admission on the turnstiles, the game began positively for Newcastle  with some lovely work down the right wing by the debutante, good passing into the box and just that final ball to convert chances into goals was all that was mssing Newcastle taking an early lead.

Hartlepool though seemed organised and more together than Newcastle had probably anticipated, seeing a couple of their own chances go just wide of the mark.

The first 15 minutes saw Pancrate and Lovenkrands hook up well together and pressure mounted from the Toon with the Frenchman striking the ball just over the top of the crossbar.

Hartlepool remained determined and steadfast and 15 minutes in were unlucky not to go a goal in front when their shot rattled the crossbar and almost went over the line.

Some good midfield play from both sides entertained the lively crowd but it was Hartlepool that broke the deadlock with 19 minutes played, some excellent build-up play and a superb strike from Rowells just outside the edge of the area, saw Matty Grieve slice the ball into his own net.

Newcastle went immediately on the counter attack, with some superb runs down the wing by Pancrate and Hartlepools’ Fredriksen lucky not to get a yellow card for some suspect shirt-pulling on Lovenkrands. On 28 Minutes we had a free kick on the edge of the area well-taken by Lovenkrands only to see his shot hit the post.

31 minutes in and Newcastle equalise with a great cross into the box by Phil Airey, Lovenkrands knocking it past the Hartlepool keeper making it look easy.

Newcastle, as usual when going a goal behind, seem to have to come to life and have more legs up front than the Pool at present.

The Toon certainly looked a lot livelier for the last 5 minutes of the first half, using the full right-wing pretty much unmarked to hs advantage Pancrate is caused Hartlepool all sorts of problems and they just couldn’t  contain the Frenchman.

With 2 minutes added time to the first half, Newcastle held on to go in 1-1 at the break.

Newcastle started the second half as promising as they ended the first, keeping the forward-going momentum going. Giving away posession in the box though, doesn’t help!

Pool pressed us more than they did in the last quarter of the first half and with a quickly-taken free-kick the almost derby-side go 2-1 on 56 minutes, Billy Greulich sliding in to score.

To Newcastles’ absolute cedit, this didn’t take the wind out of their , and they commenced their counter attacks with haste.

It didn’t take long for the Toon to equalise and 2-2 is shortly the scoreline with a superb low shot from Phil Airey,

61 minutes played and Newcastle Danquah is replaced by Adjei.

A good bit of work from Hartlepool saw a shot cleared by our keeper (only, I hasten to add, to land underneath my little lads’ seat, he picks the ball up and unsuspectingly throws it pitch-ward, only for it bounce off a fellow Toon Army crowds’ bonce – sorry about that !! I will endeavour to practice our throw ins from now on!).

63 mins in brings a claim from Hartlepool for a penalty after they had a player brought down by our keeper, but waved away by the referree.

Toon go 3-2 ahead, again from Phil Airey, although Hartlepools defence will be asking questions when looking back at it.

Hartlepool certainly wouldn’t lie down though and for the next 15 minutes tried to get back into the game.

Whether it was lack of quality up front or good Newcastle defending remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, this Newcastle side showed great character to come back from behind twice.

With 10 minutes left, Hartlepool seemed to have given up the chase and some unfortunate chants from certain areas of the Newcastle audience seem to be spoiling what should be a good atmosphere – is there any need?

With a spritely finish by the Toon with Hartlepool, having given up the chase, Newcastle reserves should be fairly pleased with themselves for a decent performance. Pool certainly gave us a test theres’ no question  but the quality of finish by Lovenkrands and the pace on the right wing provided by our new target, as well as some good cover in the back four for the last 15 minutes, the reserve side should go home as pleased as the fans this evening!

Note: some brave Pool fans in the middle of the melee of Toon fans in the East Stand, respect to you for your loyalty on this rather chilly November evening!
Report by Claire Duke

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