OK folks, I`ll do what I can to help, but apologies in advance if the postings are few and far between (unless, of course, there are loads of goals, and I`m up and down like a yo-yo!)

Team apparently as follows:

Given Barton Dabizas Howey Huges Solano Lee Speed Dyer Big Al and Big Dunc

on the bench: Gavilan Ketsbia Harper Domi Goma

(Gallager injured taking his final penalty in training - how rotten is that!)

Chelsea are starting Sutton and Weah up front.

HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Answers

Toon Army in amazing voice! About ten minutes to kick-off.

Very positive interview on Sky with wor Bobby. Let`s hope he has the lads inspired! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (:o)

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Newcastle v Chelsea, here's the teams:

Newcastle: Given, Barton, Hughes, Howey, Dabizas, Solano, Speed, Lee, Dyer, Shearer, Ferguson.

Subs: Domi, Goma, Gavilan,Ketsbaia, Harper.

Chelsea: De Goey, Ferrer, Leboeuf, Desailly, Harley, Di Matteo, Deschamps, Wise, Poyet, Sutton, Weah.

Subs: Petrescu, Hogh, Zola, Flo, Cudicini.

Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)

OK LADS GET INTO THEM, 10 mins. 'til kick - off!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Bud Wiser - great! Your on line too - it`ll ease the pressure a bit with the postings! HOWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Chelsea score - Weah - disallowed!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Chelsea score - not disallowed (:o( Poyet.

Still it`s been end to end stuff, long way to go yet, but they carved up our defence to get that goal. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Big Dunc is limping - Domi and Kets warming up ...........

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

The ball was moving when that dwarf took the free kick - that goal WAS NOT A LEGAL GOAL. I'm now mega-pi$$ed off, also Al & esp. Dunc not in it - come on lads pull your socks up, still 50 mins. left!

Dunc taken off, replaced by Domi.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Big Dunc off - Domi on. Come on boys!!!!!!!!!! Still pretty much end to end.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Half time. You`re not wrong there Bud Wiser, that was a foul free kick and definately should have been re-taken. We`ve had one or two bad decisions. BUT we have also had some chances that should have been goals, SO frustrating. Backs against the wall a bit now with Big Dunc off, but I agree that he wasn`t getting into it at all, neither is Big Al yet. Though to be fair, the marking is pretty good from Chelsea, always seems to be two at least marking Al. Rats, Rats, Rats, I know we`ve still got 45 mins, but this is agony.

HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

To Bud Wiser - you don`t think that we are just posting to ourselves do you! Hope not, cos I`m running from room to room like a headless chicken, terrified of missing anything!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

H-T 0-1. Le poof clearly handled on edge of the box - NOT even a free kick! Solana blasted over the bar with only De Goey to beat. Then Speed totally mis-kicks, as did Dunc. & Dyer earlier. It's not as though we're not creating chances but, who's gonna put the ball in the net - Shearer I hope!? Solana's had plenty of space on the right, Domi may well do the same on the left. We're not out of it, come on YBR get them going!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Galaxy, you could well be right, I'm not gonna log on again 'til the end when' hopefully the score will be much different!?

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

helloooo u two!!!

scary stuff aint it!

good news is we are playing well but were a goal down to a nice chelsea move.

No reason why we cant equalize . I think YBR sub descision was excellent even if Dyer is dodgy one on ones. It will allow Dyer to link up with 2 skillful players, either Domi or Solano. I reckon this will be more effective against a solid Chelsea defence.

TOON! TOON!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Ok I agree, I`ll log on for any goals though. Oh heck Flo`s on now!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Hi Spud - yes! Very scarey!!!! HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Galaxy, Finally I found net coverage - www.rte.ie/rams/radioone.ram so it's not necessary to post for me anymore. Thanx GO THE TOON!!!!! GO GUYS GO!!!!!! SCORE SCORE SCORE!!!!!

-

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

ooooo this is good fun!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

yesssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Robert Lee!!!!!!!!!!1

1 - 1 YEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

this games BRILLIANT!! 1-1

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

LOADS OF PRESSURE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! COME ON THEN!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poxy Poyet again - we`re a goal down again. (:o(

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Well......sorry folks, our cup run is over. (:o(

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

BUGGERBUGGERBUGGERBUGGERBUGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Bye for now Deb, Spud, Bud Wiser .......... I off to boil me head.

Great game, but I feel like crying. (:o(((((

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

darn ;-(

we played so well 2nd half- totally outplayed them !

at least we can be very proud today- noone can argue who deserved to win.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Shit shit shit.

I am totally gutted !!!!

;o(((((

Jay

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Well, I'm kinda lost for words; we didn't deserve to lose and we had lots of chances to win - I guess it's our own fault that we didn't put them away!

That commentator on Sky (?) was cr@p and incredibly biased against the Toon, further p**ing me off!

Some of our players were poor, most notably Gary Speed and Kets. when he came on.

As for Chewsea, that dwarf Wise was never in the game, apart from his illegal freekick, Poyet's joined my hate book - not because of his goals, because of his ATTITUDE!

I now want Villa to win the Final although, I've no intention of watching it. I've a suspicion that Chewsea might somehow win the double (FAC & CL) to follow the Ar$e & Manure, who won 2 & 3 after beating the Toon!?

:-( & maybe a bit of :!-(

As usual the Toon Army were magnificent, they DESERVE some SILVERWARE! Save journey home all of you.

"Sleepless in Singapore", definitely tonight!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Disappointed, but we played so much better than last visits to Wemberleey. A bit hard to say that Speed was poor, though I admit that Kets wasn't worth his place. Thought we played with a lot of pride and passion. Bugger. At least we're in the top half of the league now.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

...and the Toon Army were magic. You could hear them all the way back to Bishop Auckland.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Well, what a load of bollocks! I thought the toon were far superior to Chelsea who only managed three decent shots the whole game. I don't think the lads could have given any more than they did, but I suppose it all comes down to probabilities. I have three questions (1) why wasn't leboeuf booked for persistently fouling Shearer. (2) why on earth did the referee allow the first goal. (3) what was poyet doing on the field - he should have been sent off for retaliation.

Oh well, there is always next year - I suppose that it would be too much to ask for some luck at wembley on at least one occasion.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Midnight.....Perth.....Western Oz Just got in from the pub. Gutted________yes but proud as hell. When we scored and the Blaydon Races rang out the hairs on the back of my neck did the thing that they do at moments like that. It's been 25 yrs since I've seen the toon score at Wembley and I think I shouted as loud tonight as I did then. Still a bit shell shocked so I'll sit back and read the reports on how others saw the game before I hit the pit Well.......maybe just one more beer to drown em

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

BOLLOCKS - absolutely devestated. We really deserved a result from that game, we played them off the park.

At least we still have our pride intact - we played like Champions and next season WILL be our season.

Well done to the Toon Army too - in great voice out there today. I for one was proud to be a Geordie!

:-((

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

No pride lost just a lot of respect gained. We were desparately unlucky but things look good under young BR for next season. Hope we can go on and finish the season with a flourish. Europe is still possible. This is very theraputic writing this here, getting it off your chest. I'm sad but not as much as I thought I would be if we had lost. No, after watching that performance by the lads I think we can all take a lot of comfort, pride and a lot of hope for the the path ahead. We've got the right man at the helm now.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

I quite agree mate!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Okay a show of hands who still wants to give Lapoof a good slapping!!!!!!!

I know I do.

Come on Villa

I am gutted but I am proud

Jay

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

I haven't read the rest of this thread as I've just come in, ermm what's the word and it's not merry. I did see Bud's comment about the first goal, that was an absolute disgrace and the refere has absolutely no excuse, he was very near the ball when it was took and it wasn't stationery.
I couldn't hear the fans (before you cut my head off read the rest) because we had Japanese commentary which was done in Japan and over the initial feed. However when you could hear the fans it was all Newcastle and they were absolutely terrific. Well done everyone.
I also have to say at this point in time I'm not depressed, just disappointed, because I though t that we were absolutely awesome today. It's obviously very difficult to get the full picture from TV but I think it's the best we've played since the Barcelona game I would even say since the Howay 5-0. The only problem, and it is major is confidence. We don't seem to be able to get into the game without YBR's help if we go a goal down. The first 15 miinsd of the first half we ripped them apart and then went a goal down and played like a different team after that.
Solano crucified the thick young cockney everytime yet his crossing and ecspecially corners were dreadfu. WHY? Shearer had his worst game that I've seen for Newcastle, I can only go on TV pics and no doubt he did lots of running off theball etc, but when he had the ball (with one noticeable exception) he didn't use it. I thibnk the best example is when he made Dyer (?) offside by chasing a ball with only a few mins tro go, now had he left it we would have had a 2 on one....
I also (in my drunk state) think that YBR got it wrong. Iknow I will possibly be banned for saying that but I think that to use Domi as a subb effectively he has to come on with 30 mins to go. Not after 35. Yes, I know Ferguson (who was not very good) was injured but wouldn't it have been better to bring on Kets to keep the shape and use the Ace in the hole at the right time?
Overall A very pleasing performance but a bad result (obviously) and I'm looking forward to winning the cup next year at Old Trafford. When are they going to knock Wembley down?

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Watched the game in a pub in Tokyo and worked out the difference between ZNewcastle and Chelsea fans very quickly. We wear our shirts and the shave their heads (not to mention look as if they've only got half a brain cell more than the mackems)

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

kee-kee? Are you a new contributor, or have I just not bumped into you before? Whichever, pleased to meet you!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

I've never felt prouder for many a year..F***ck we were absoluely magnificent..even Chelsea supporters said they;ve never been dominated for so long by anyone this season...the tears that are flowing now are from Geordie PRIDE and not embarrasment and FUCK it feels dead good!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Kegsy, Shearer wasn't so bad, as mentioned by someone above he was consistently fouled by Le Poof and, when he wasn't fouled he had much the better of the bald Frog, didn't you see the nutmeg? Also the way he beat Le P. and then crossed for Rob Lee's goal was as good as anything Beckham could ever do.

A big pity that Solano didn't make better use of all his possession, he was all over the full back (Harley?)

At least most of the players can hold their heads high, not like after the previous 2 Wemberley defeats.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

7.10pm Sun: Haven't posted here before...but have just got back from Wembley and - like everyone else - simply can't believe we didn't win. The Toon Army were, again, absolutely magnificent...as were Bobby Robson's post-match comments which I've just caught up with via recorded Sky....including noting the fact that we've just gone into the top half of the table today! Give the man that knighthood. And as Shearer said post match: "We can't believe it. The sooner they knock this place down the better for Newcastle United. We have had some horrendous luck here over the years but you have to earn your own luck in football - at least we can sleep tonight and say we have given our all."

I know we're all sick...but let's be proud of the lads, proud of Bobby Robson and look forward to that day when we WILL watch a Newcastle team go up those steps to finally lift the FA Cup.

Below is an extract from PA copy running on the match:

"Heaven knows football needed an occasion to warm the heart and stir the senses after the week's dark and depressing events in Istanbul. And today we got it with an FA Cup semi-final packed with all the essential ingredients which make football the most popular game on earth. We got continental flair, old-fashioned courage and commitment, a thrilling second-half fightback by Newcastle, three superb goals, passion and pace aplenty and a match played at a fabulous tempo which contained just one yellow card. We even got quaint humour in the wise and wonderful 67-year-old shape of Bobby Robson who as substitute Gianfranco Zola was about to take the field with Chelsea 2-1 up in the 79th minute aimed a playful kick at the Italian's ankles as if to say ``That's all we need''. And as the glorious sunshine beat down the overriding feeling was: Oh to be at Wembley when April's here. There are those who say the aura of football's most famous stadium should be reserved for the final. Well, not on days like today when 73,876 packed into the Twin Towers to witness a match which oozed true gloss as opposed to the dross which made watching paint dry preferable to witnessing last week's semi-final. But before we salute the rhapsody in blue which is Chelsea in full flow let us spare a thought for Newcastle, who came to Wembley to lay the ghosts of two desperate performances in the last two finals and produced more in the first five minutes than they had in the entire course of those two eminently forgettable matches. That they went away again with nothing was cruel and perhaps unlucky but says volumes about Chelsea. This time, however, Newcastle can depart with heads high, having brought much to the party, not least in the passion of their fanatical following. There is something hugely uplifting about Newcastle on their travels. It was there in the energy and vibrancy of the great herd of zebra stripes as they migrated down Wembley Way, in the rich humour of their banter and in the Messianic roars which greeted captain Alan Shearer's every stride. It was there in the trojan work-rate of Rob Lee, in the menace of Kieron Dyer and the danger in the marauding wing play of Nolberto Solano. Indeed, it was there throughout a team which in six months has cast off the suspicion and paranoia of Ruud Gullit's regime and flourished under the leadership of one of football's managerial legends. And most of all Newcastle's new-found quality was there in the proud and sprightly stride of Robson, wearing crisp suit with white carnation and looking for all the world as if he was on the way to a society wedding. Newcastle, it should be noted, were unlucky to lose Duncan Ferguson in the first-half with yet another injury. But, as much as anything, the outcome of this match surrounded the battle between Marcel Desailly and Shearer. Desailly, France's World Cup winning star and by some distance the best defender in the Premiership. Shearer, the Premiership's 30-goal top scorer but whose Wembley performances for his home-town club have fallen some way short of inspirational. And so, unfortunately for the Toon Army, it proved today, though no- one could accuse Shearer of lacking commitment or crosses, one fabulously precise one of which was headed home by Lee - his first goal for almost two years when he scored, would you believe it, against Chelsea. Indeed, Newcastle had their chances throughout - Solano volleyed over when he should have hit the target in the first-half and Dyer's second-half volley was magnificently tipped over by Chelsea goalkeeper Ed De Goey. But somehow there was an inevitability that Chelsea's superior class, even though they were never at their best, would finally tell and so it proved in the 71st minute when Poyet coasted in to head Jon Harley's cross past Given. With seconds to go Solano might have pushed the match into extra- time but it wasn't to be and so it's Chelsea v Aston Villa in the last FA Cup final at Wembley on May 20. If it's half as good as today's it will be a fitting finale.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

THE POW BUBBLE BREAKS!!!

Well played lads - we were proud of you

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Benton? A new face on the block - and a very welcome one on the strength of your excellent posting! Good to meet you - I think you will enjoy it here! Heroes all - the players, the manager, the Army! (:o)

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Dateline: Sunday 9th April
Location: POW Pub, Hillingdon
Suspects (Usual): Scratchy Alias Andy, ITK Alias Big Bloke from BBC
The following photos run through the gamut of human emotion from A to B

BEFORE

AFTER

GET ON THE END OF THAT POYET

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

BOLLOX!

I'm not gonna even bother with a match analysis....I'm too despondant!

We looked like we could've had it in the bag but too many heads went down after their 2nd goal.....

Poyet....it's not as if he hasn't F****D us before! SURELY he should've been watched and if so then SHOOT THE F****R who was watching him...

I could get really shitty about all this but I'm not going to bother....

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

I am so proud of the team and their performance and the Toon Army faithfull, but gutted at the result. It was a travesty! Mind you I bet Spurs are even sicker.......we are now in the right half of the table and still headed in the right direction. Howay the Lads....... Cy

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

FOOTBALL LIVE QUOTES

G. Vialli : "When we had the ball we didn't create anything special, and I think they deserved to equalise because they were the better team for long periods of the game.

Chelsea skipper Dennis Wise admitted Newcastle had been the better team on the day, with goal hero Gustavo Poyet the difference between the sides.

He said: "We didn't really play well - Newcastle played a lot better than us but thank god we had Gus who scored two great goals.

Kieron Dyer bemoaned Newcastle's fortune. "We were very unlucky," said the England star told Sky Sports. "The lads are devastated. We had numerous chances but could only score one goal.

"They only had two chances and scored both.

"We were the better team from start to finish. I thought our performance warranted us a place in the final.

"When we scored I was sure we were going to go on to win but they scored again and it just was not going to be our day."

Alan Shearer: "We have had some horrendous luck here over the years but you have to earn your own luck in football.

"We have given our all, I thought we were the better side today and more often than not the better side wins, but not today.

"At least we can sleep tonight and say we have given our all; we played well but at the end of the day we are out of the competition and out of the final.

"We feel hard-done-by today. It will be difficult for us now to qualify for Europe but we have some good games coming up and if we can win those who knows where we can end up."

NO MENTION OT THAT DODGY FREE KICK, ANYWHERE!?

Still Sleepless in Singapore, I hope you've all made it home OK?

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Its 1:10, I've just got home after waiting for an hour at the Central Stn. in the freezing bloody cold for a taxi - the end of a not-so-perfect day!

I'm cold, travel weary, sad, and very disappointed with my Wembley record moving on to 0-6.

The Toon Army yet again were out of this world, and for once the team almost matched them. On the day we were undoubtedly the better team; however, missed too many chances, and I'm afraid we still can't defend. The good news is we outplayed one of the PL's best sides and are moving firmly in the right direction.

BTW: I arrived at the 'designated meeting point' at 12:15pm - The Old Post Office - to be greeted by a wall of blue, and massed chants of "Blue is the colour, Chewsee is the team". Naturally, the bouncers suggested I might like to move my b&w strip elsewhere. Thanks Screacher!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2000

Good to hear your back safely Clarky. Looking forward to hearing more about your outing! Did you find somewhere black and white for a pre match tipple?! (:o)

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

An enjoyable day for the Scottish contigent.

Car, plane, train, tube, walk, match, shuffle, stand, shuffle, tube, train, plane, car, sleep.

We stuffed them. They had a few minutes in the first half and that was it, Didn't feel worried by themn at all which is the measure of how far ahead of them we were.

I could nit pick at a few off moments by individuals but that would be unfair in the extreme. Colelctively we ran the game and deserved to win, and win comfortably, not even close.

I had wondered how I would cope if we scored. When the kids were born I just cried with joy, yesterday was the same. I just stood hugging my boy crying my eyes out, didn't see the next few minutes as I couldn't get the bloody tears out of my eyes. What on earth will I be like when we win the bloody thing ?

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

Pleased you had a good day out Macbeth. As for the `tear` thing, I think it is a Geordie genetic trait - tear ducts too close to the bladder! At least that`s what my old Gran used to say! Did you know that tears also help flush out excess adrenalin from the body - which is why you usually feel better after a good cry?

(:o( before........(:o) after!!!!! Sorry, I`m in a funny mood this morning....... I`ll go and take my tablets!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

Macbeth, That's exactly what happened to me. The joy of scoring, hugging my lad, and the tears. A magic moment. Sadly it didn't last too long and my lad is gutted. Never takes a defeat well, but at least he saw them play and score!

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

Anybody who was there want to do a match report? I know that I could do one from the telly opics but it's nowhere near as good as being there, the atmosphere, the emotion of the day. When you're in a pub a few thousand miles away you do lose a bit. Having said that I'm very hoarse today from shouting at the telly.
Any reports would be greatly appreciated.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

My 2p-worth.

I thought Shearer was awesome. One of the best performances by him I have ever seen. He almost destroyed Leboof to the point where it was embarrassing. Absolutely fantastic. He was the complete striker yesterday - can't for a minute understand anyone criticising him or saying he was under par.

Lovely cross and lovely goal.

Very unlucky. Lets not worry too much about the ball moving on the first goal. It was a classy bit of play.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

I was going to apologise about what I said before. I think I was just p***ed off that he didn't score but he didn't really have a chance. Thinking back, Le bouef didn't get anywhere near him except to kick him. i bet the Frenchie hasn't had as torrid a time ever. Appologies to everyone for what can only be described as a really drunk and disappointed comment.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

That's more like it Kegsy, I was about to chastise you! ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

Jesus True, make it stop.....There may be kids watching.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

Rik and I had awesome seats. Edge of 6yd box, shady side, 2nd row off the pitch, so excellent views of players expressions. At one point Shearer put in a heavy tackle on laPoof right in front of us. You could see how much Al enjoyed it, and the Toon Army roaring approval. Great!

The most magical moment was the celebration of our goal. I looked up from the mayhem in the stands to see Dyer race over towards us, leap up high punching the air. Unbridled joy! Followed immediately by Shearer racing over grinning from ear to ear, looking us right in the eyes. Among a ton of incredible memories of the weekend, the game, the stadium, I think that is the one that is forever burned into my mind in full colour detail.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000

Great moments Ciara. I'm glad they're etched into the memory banks as you'll doubtless be needing them to nurture you through the next 50 years of disappointment supporting the Toon !! I thought Shearer played a stormer as well, esp considering the added responsibility he took on when Dunc limped off. You could see it in his eyes as he waited in the tunnel before kick off that he wanted this one badly - none of the usual joking around. Miserable sod that I am, just as AS pulled wide just before delivering that peach of a cross to the General I was whinging to Muzza that he should be IN the bliddy box getting on the end of crosses and not fannying around on the flanks !! Just shows what I know and what a quality player the man is. In fact all of the lads (some of who will be moving on in the summer) played their part in what was the best Newcastle performance in many a year. Last night I overheard wor lass - not exactly what you'd class a footy devotee, not yet anyway - whispering down the phone to one of her friends "No, they lost, but he's REALLY proud of them this year." And she's right. I'm as proud as punch.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2000