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Date: Tuesday 24th October, 2000, 7pm.    Venue: Borough Park, Workington.  Conditions:  Dreadful - driving rain whipped up by a blustery wind.   Crowd:  701

Teams: 

WRFC: (normal home kit - all red) Hoggeth, Gray, Moore, Williamson, Johnson, Carr, Ennis, Skelton, Irving, Dawson, Wilson.
Subs:  Hodgson M, Milne, Henney, Goulding, Hodgson G, Jones, Coulthard, Priestley, an other.

NB - No announcements made or teamsheets to be had, hence the above lineup is as 1 to 11 appeared in programme. Don't blame us if it's all wrong...

Due to the large number of subs used, it's unclear who precisely was who, but the changes in numbers were: 14 on for 3 10 mins, 12 on for 2 46 mins, 16 on for 5 46 mins, 19 on for 7 46 mins, 17 on for 9 73 mins,  20 on for 10 73 mins, 15 on for 19 60 mins.

Graham Goulding, who was linked with a move to United last year, wore the number 19 shirt and was introduced at halftime. However, he only lasted 15 minutes before himself being replaced. We're unsure whether he was injured or couldn't swim.....
As far as we could see, young Reds defender Andrew Jones didn't appear at any stage. Jones had a trial with United late last season and appeared for the juniors.

NUFC: (normal away kit) Karelse, Boyd, Ullathorne, Kerr, Caldwell S, Caldwell G, Green, Bonvin, Ameobi, Coppinger, Dimas.
Subs n/u: Brain, Orr, Rayner.

6 mins. The first meaningful attack from the visitors came when Ameobi wriggled free and found Coppinger on the right side of the area. His forward pass rebounded back off a defender, but his second attempt was too strong for Bonvin, and a defender was able to clear the danger. 
7 mins. The reds were reduced to ten men after the left back limped off for treatment. He was unable to continue and a replacement was eventually made a few moments later.
12 mins. A decent chance spurned by Ameobi after a strong run down the right from Stuart Green had played in Coppinger, who whipped the ball back from the byline. Unfortunately Shola sliced his shot well wide. 
13 mins. Workington threatened to take a shock lead after a flowing move down the left exposed the defensive shortcomings of Boyd, and a dangerous cross found it's way to the far post, only to be volleyed straight back across goal by the number 7 (Ennis we think....) 
16 mins. Ullathorne made a break down the United left and eluded two challenges to reach the byline and pull back a low cross. Coppinger arrived with perfect timing to thump the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal from 10 yards 1-0.
24 mins. Bryan Kerr was heavily involved as United enjoyed a prolonged period of possession, from which Gary Caldwell eventually joined the attack down the left flank, finding Ullathorne again overlapping. His cross was a replica of the one which produced the opening goal, but this time Coppinger's shot was well gathered by the goalkeeper. 
25 mins. Switching wings, United threatened down the right and Coppinger's ball into the box was seized upon by Stuart Green. His first attempt was blocked by the 'keeper and his second passed the wrong side of the post. Such were the poorness of the floodlights that many of the crowd wrongly assumed he had in fact scored.
28 mins. Hesitancy by the home defence allowed Ameobi to settle himself in a central position just outside the area before stroking home the second goal with a cleanly-hit rising shot. 2-0
39 mins. A deserved reply from Workington, who had reacted to conceding a second by upping the tempo. Their reward came after a long ball forward stretched the United defence and allowed Gray to latch on to it and sidestep the onrushing Karelse. His shot from 15 yards entered the net despite the despairing lunge of Steve Caldwell, and looked to have deflected home off his outstreched leg. However crediting him with an og would have been harsh on attacker and defender 2-1.
44 mins. The home fans urged their team on with renewed vigour and were rewarded when Gray again made a nuisance of himself down the left and won space to send over a tempting cross to the far post. Irving gleefully accepted the chance and powered a close-range header past Karelse to give the Reds a deserved equaliser. 2-2.
45 mins Only a fingertip save by the Newcastle 'keeper prevented Gray from snatching a half time lead.

Halftime Score: Workington 2 NUFC 2

64 mins. In driving rain, Coppinger spooned his effort over the goal after being set away by the impressive Bonvin. The South American debutant won a tussle with a defender and played a penetrating ball to the left corner of the area.
70 mins. Bonvin again, who seemed to be coping well with the by-now sodden pitch, showed good skill and determination to hold the ball up and then feed the advancing Ameobi. His goal-bound shot was deflected for a corner.
72 mins. United made light of the terrible conditions to fashion a goal of quality, both in creation and execution. After a Workington attack had been broken on the halfway line, Bonvin took possession and chipped a perfectly-weighted through ball over the defence for Stuart Green to run on to. With defenders advancing on him, he picked his spot and hit a low drive to the bottom left of the 'keeper. 3-2
75 mins.  With Workington started to tire, Bonvin came to the fore as an attacking force, and sent a succession of shots narrowly wide of the goal, in particular one which flashed just past the post. His disgust at not hitting the target was evident as he hoofed the muddy pitch.

Final Score: Workington 2 NUFC 3

Waffle: 

In what is becoming an almost monthly event, Newcastle travelled to the Cumbrian coast for their third friendly encounter of the season with Workington.

However, where their two previous victories had been played in good conditions, tonight's success came amidst dreadful conditions, with the rain lashing down and a howling wind combining with a muddy surface to present the United players with a more challenging ninety minutes than they normally come across.

Presumably the local lads were rather more used to it than their opponents, but while Dimas struggled to make any progress down the left wing, Bonvin seemed perfectly at home. Mark Boyd at right back however seemed to be running through treacle at times, and seemed especially relieved when the final whistle blew.... 

Under the circumstances, both sides should be applauded for their part in an entertaining and even-tempered match, and while United will be relieved to return to winning ways, their Unibond opponents can take heart from another encouraging display against full-time players.

A special mention must be made for the "Rosso's Ices" ice cream van that positioned itself on the grassy bank behind one goal, in what must be called splendid isolation. A handful of masochistic customers trudged up to buy 99's or whatever, but his proceeds must barely have exceeded £10. From our relatively sheltered position on the side of the ground, the van definitely seemed to be sinking, which may have prevented it being washed away in a mudslide. 

Had the rain started earlier, we may have had the possibly unique occurrence of the game being abandoned due to Cornetto encroachment...

PS - Unfortunately the van didn't switch his chimes on - now that would have been surreal.....   

Biffa