Gateshead 2-3 Newcastle: Weakened Toon kick-off pre-season with comeback win
Eddie Howe's Mags kicked off our busy pre-season schedule with a 3-2 win over Gateshead thanks to goals from Elliot Anderson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Jay Turner-Cooke.
With so many international stars only returning to training on Friday afternoon, our squad was a mishmash of first-team players, forgotten men and U21 talents, with Bruno, Joelinton, Wilson, Gordon, Tonali, Schar, Murphy, Lascelles and others all watching on from the stands.
We started with at least four full-backs in the side, lining up like this from the off: Darlow - Manquillo, Savage, Burn, Targett - Trippier, Longstaff, Anderson - Ritchie, Saint-Maximin, Lewis. That's right, Lewis on the left wing, Trippier in midfield, a first senior start for Remi Savage and ASM up top!
We created plenty of openings in the first half, but it was a disjointed team putting in a disjointed performance, with no recognised striker and our rarely-used left-back playing on the wing. We were missing so many difference makers and looked like a side who'd only been training a few days.
Ritchie went close in the opening minute with a shot across goal, Longstaff failed to convert after being sent clean through by ASM, Lewis miscued a few decent chances and Anderson thought he was about to score before having his effort well blocked. Saint-Maximin's powerful effort from 10 yards out was well saved, Longstaff flashed wide moments later and Targett also skied a half-chance after latching onto Trippier's cross-field pass.
Don't let our photo fool you. It was absolutely soaking at the GIS, as Toon fans in the uncovered East Stand were drenched. The heavens opened and our makeshift defence did too, with the Heed Army scoring twice in the first half thanks to some sloppy defending and smart finishes from the National League side. Their first came after a poor giveaway from Longstaff - who looked off the pace - and their second saw Ste Wearne round Darlow after some more sloppy defending seconds before the break.
After another torrential downpour during the half-time interval, flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder, the rain subsided and we pulled one back just a few minutes after the restart. Saint-Maximin had been moved to the left and he did well to find makeshift striker Elliot Anderson, who sat his man down before his low finish made it 2-1.
Loris Karius replaced Darlow and Irish talent Alex Murphy came on for Remi Savage at the break, leaving our line up like this at the start of the second half: Karius - Trippier, Burn, A Murphy, Lewis - Ritchie, Longstaff, Targett - Manquillo, Anderson, Saint-Maxminin. More square pegs in round holes, with Targett in midfield, Manquillo on the right wing and Anderson up top, but Eddie Howe's changes seemed to do the trick.
Saint-Maximin flashed wide 10 minutes into the restart, coming within inches of making it 2-2 with a decent effort from the edge of the box, but we were soon level as Anderson's cut back set up the Frenchman. The pair combined once again and ASM tapped in to make it 2-2 with just over 30 minutes remaining.
Wholesale changes followed as Howe handed runouts to a host of U21 talents, with Ashby, De Bolle, White, L Miley and Parkinson replacing Trippier, Targett, Longstaff, Ritchie and Saint-Maximin.
We were on top at this point, controlling the game and creating chances, with one lovely move almost ending in a goal for De Bolle, who latched onto a flick and had his effort saved by ex-Mag Rob Elliot after some nice approach play in and around the box.
More changes came as Anderson - who came alive as a false nine in the second half - and Manquillo were replaced by Turner-Cooke and Ndiweni before Lewis made way for Wiggett; the former Chelsea talent who came in at centre-back.
A sloppy pass from Joe White almost gifted Gateshead the chance to retake the lead, but we went down the other end and sent teenage talent Ben Parkinson clean through. The 18-year-old striker only signed his first pro deal on Friday, but his effort was tame and too close to Elliot.
With 80 minutes on the clock, two of our young guns showed their class to score the winner. Lewis Miley played a huge part from the left, following a decisive dribble with a lovely cross into Turner-Cooke, who slid a smart first-time finish past Elliot and into the corner.
3-2 Newcastle and a positive end to a pre-season friendly that handed plenty fringe men and U21 talents a much-needed run out. It was good to see ASM and Anderson bag a goal and an assist each, with both causing havoc in the second half, while Miley continues to impress. The tall but composed young midfielder looks assured on the ball and showed real quality in creating our late winner. The square pegs in round holes all over the field highlighted our need for new signings, but it's worth noting that over 50% of the player who started this game will barely kick a ball for us next season.
Howe gave a mixed update on the transfer front after the game, highlighting the importance of new signings while accepting our need to be "creative" on a "strict budget." Nothing is imminent, it seems, despite strong links with Harvey Barnes and Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi.
There was no sign of Pope (hand surgery) or Willock (hamstring) today, but both are close to returning from end-of-season knocks, while Krafth remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from last year's ACL injury.
Next up, a trip to Rangers on Tuesday before we fly out to the USA next week for the Summer Series.
