A Draw - but should have done better.

We knew it was not going to be easy with The Toon snapping at our heels in the table and our strike power almost non existant. For how much longer could our defence keep us out of jail? Of course there was a chance that they might have been playing cards on the 'bus and then we could hope for a hatful of goals and three points - ha ha. There had been doubts about the fitness of Matt Elliott and Tim Flowers but both were playing and our defence looked equal to the task. The rain eased off a little as the teams ran out but the pitch, usually firm, looked greasy. Tord Grip, England's new chief scout was in attendance, but who was he watching - the players or the managers?

The game started brightly and as usual the indefatigable Robbie Savage harried the opposition with a series of borderline tackles which caught the attention of referee R.Styles. After four minutes Robbie brought down Shearer much to the delight of the home supporters who no doubt still remember his 'accidental' foul on Neill Lennon. Eventually, around half time, the Welshman was awarded a yellow card . The first half saw City playing arguably better than they had been doing of late. The crowd applauded Ade Akinbiyi who, although not successful at putting the ball in the net worked tirelessly along with his fellow striker Benjamin. Savage and Izzett both had chances but failed to find the net. Neill Lennon is beginning to appear a little like his old self but there is still room for improvement. For Newcastle, Griffin shot just wide after 34 minutes but throughout the half, neither keeper had to make a serious save. A concerted effort by City at the end of the first half pegged United back but their good performance was to no avail.

The second half saw Newcastle having more of the play and , due to poor defending by City, Domi should have scored. In the 55th minute Benjamin, who had run himself into the ground, was replaced by Gunnlaugsson. We wondered if he had any magic left to show us and we were not disappointed. In the 62nd minute Neill Lennon shaped to take a free kick from 30 yards but the Icelander moved in and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. City one Newcastle nil. Could we hold out for three points? The game immediately hotted up and in the 75th. minute with City defenders off guard whilst looking for an offside decision, Gary Speed scored the equaliser. Both sides had chances to go ahead but our greatest disappointment came when, with 4 minutes to go, Gunnlaugsson slipped the ball to Akinbiyi who had a clear run. Alas! he tried to get the ball on his right foot, stumbled and shot wide.l.

We left with disappointment that we had been so near to three points but we were heartened by City's overall performance.

If Tord Grip was watching English strikers, he must also have been disappointed because the only goals scored were by an Icelander and a Welshman.

Copyright