Shamrock Rovers 0 Newcastle United 3

Friendly Match, Tallaght Stadium

Saturday 11th July Kick-off 3.00pm

Newcastle started against a Shamrock Rovers team that won last night in the League beating Bray 2-1. Their manager started with a different team!

Republic of Ireland Under-19 defender Callum Morris made his first team debut for the club along with younsters Tamas Kadar, Wesley Ngo Baheng and England U19 striker Nile Ranger.

Half time saw the teams go in 0-0 with the sun turning to drizzle. Second half and Chris Hughton changes the whole team, therefore giving everyone a run out as he promised and predicted.

The second half began with Newcastle on top with a reward fro their pressure on the Rovers goal when Steven Taylor pounced to tuck home a goal when McNeil in the Shamrock goal could only block a LuaLua shot.

A couple of more chances followed however, they did not result in anymore goals for Newcastle until the 87th minute when Shola Ameobi scored with shot / deflection, a really good finish. In the final minute Nile Ranger slotted home from 25 yards (the goalie had rushed out to stop a Shola attack) to make it a comfortable 3-0 win.

 

Goals

50 Steven Taylor followed up a save by Rovers keeper McNeil, who had blocked a LuaLua shot.

87 Shola Ameobi A deflected shot however, a really good goal

89 Nile Ranger 25 yards out and his first goal for the senior team

 

Acting Manager Comments: Chris Hughton

"In the end it was a nice way to finish off what has been an excellent week. "In the second half our quality began to tell and the lads finished strongly which was pleasing. But this is the first match of six before the season starts and there is still a lot of hard work to be done. We'll regroup now back at home and continue to work the players towards where they need to be for the new season."

 

Nile Ranger Has An Awful Lot Of Potential

Chris Hughton talking to nufcTV:

13th July, 2009

"Nile has got a real chance and there is an awful lot of potential there. He's got pace and power and is a terrific athlete. He's also got tremendous bravery and it's things like that you can't teach. He needs to work on other aspects of his game but with the right attitude and application that will come.

But he's willing to learn and had a great week in Ireland. "I thought he then did very well leading the line during the first half against Shamrock and I was delighted when he went back on and scored. Now he's get to kick on again next season. He had a good first year and scored a lot of goals for the juniors and reserves. But making that step up is a different matter although I'm sure he is more than capable."