The Bairns won 3-1 this morning v the Smoggies.

We scored two early goals and then a late clincher from Offiong. Boro had long spells of possession, but we defended well, if a little too deeply.

Unfortunately, no team-sheets were available so I can't really comment on too many of the players. I thought our two CB's played very well together, and a Bartinho look-alike in midfield had a good first half but faded a little in the 2nd half heat. Our right-winger, a Jamie Coppinger look-alike, looked useful and curled in a nice goal after Offiong had opened the scoring.

Michael Chopra was obviously desperate to put on a show for the crowd of perhaps 2,000, but found it difficult to get into the game, being generally well-policed by the Smoggies defence who clearly recognised him as the danger-man. Neverthless, he was industrious, made a number of good runs, controls the ball well and also uses it intelligently. For those who have been calling for him to get a run in the 1st team, I'm afraid my conclusion is that is he is nowhere near that stage just yet - perhaps this time next year, but more likely the season after.

Offiong is a Shola look-alike. He also works hard, finds good positions, has pretty good control but tends to run and run into blind alleys. Nevertheless, he did pretty well and certainly looks a prospect.

Despite Boro dominating possession for long spells, we generally defended well and had more class up front. A very enjoyable game played in fabulous weather conditions, in front of a supportive crowd. Great stuff.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

Answers

Sounds nice, who will we meet in the finals?

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

Having seen the Bartinho-like's girlfriend in the Strawberry afterwards, I can quite understand why he faded a bit in the second half :-)

Special mention must also go to the fact that we didn't warm up before the game and that the subs came straight from the bench without even pretending to stretch or run first. Clearly there are 2 schools of thought on this: NUFC and Everyone Else.

Got to agree with Clarky though, a seriously enjoyable and valuable way to spend a couple of hours. Lovely glow as more and more people converged on the ground in the most beautiful weather when you could quite understand it if everyone had headed for the coast instead. Something deeply cathartic about watching lads in black and white giving their all, running, shooting, passing, harrying and supporting. There was a lovely moment after the final whistle when they weren't sure what to do and we all started applauding them until they came over and returned it: Warren would have been proud. No doubt tea-break will be over on Tuesday, but the 1st Team should have been there to watch the only branch of the club to come out of this season with any ignity intact.

Chris Wood, Damon Robson, Michael Chopra and Richard Offiong all had great days today and deserve some facilities that say that their efforst are appreciated.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

WestHam or Ipswich. Anyone know the score from their game this morning?

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

I have never known such gets as the ticket people at SJP. I arrived at 11.40ish and they wouldn't let me and my mate in. They turned several others away at the same time. I imagine they'll be a tad less picky when they want my season ticket money. Glad the bairns won. Gutted that the gloryhunting Scouse gets won.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

Apparently they had been warming up before the game but had gone in just before we arrived. Excellent to see width, running, passing..........

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

Can't imagine why Offiong looks like Shola, did they look as though they could so alike they could even be related ?

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

Well he's tall, skinny and black - but it wasn't just his physical appearance that reminded of Ameobi but the similar languide style and the familiar drag-back.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

The U-17's will play Ipswich in a two-legged final. Ipswich beat WHU 2-0 today.
The first leg will be at SJP, but the date & time have yet to be decided.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

We saw Daniel Cordone coming out of the ground and my brother and two little (ish) cousins got his autograph. He isn't really first choice for the first team as such, but I didn't see any other squad players there.

Good match by the way. Who scored the first goal as we got into the ground a couple of minutes after kick off.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

Offiong Paul.

The 1st team squad would be training at The Riverside this morning.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

This Chris Wood bloke I was so impressed by is actually called Chris Moore....thanks for the team sheets NUFC, much appreciated.

First scorer was Offiong following up on Chopra's shot which came back off the bar. Special mention should also go to Boro's Cooper who came on as a sub: doppleganger for Phil Stamp the poor bugger :-)

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

I thought he was actually a cross between Thug Stamp and Franck The Pie Man - a more unathletic looking young footballer you couldn't imagine. More like a pool or darts player.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

That's a bit cruel on 'pool players Clarky. I thought most of them looked pretty fit (in an athletic way, you understand) yesterday against @sre.

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2001

Nice to see the local Sunday papers giving the bairns so many column inches.

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2001

Thanks for the reports folks. Sounds like we can take some heart in our future. And yes, it does sound like it might have been a better idea to have the first team watch the match THEN go to training in the afternoon.

Also, it was either on icNewcastle or nufc.com recently that Offiong is Shola's cousin.

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2001

I'm glad you saw that as well Ciara, I thought I was cracking up for a while

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2001

The fact that you could choose your own seat meant I had my hands full trying to keep the kids in one seat each by the means of glaring stares & psychic messages. Didn't spoil an enjoyable couple of hours, we missed the start giving a steward license to give us the score as 1 - 0 up already, he was lying but I cannot understand why, so we left thinking we were 4-1 up.

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2001