16 mins Gretna took the lead when Eccles played in Martin Cameron, who caught our defence napping to drive past Ben Smith to open the scoring.

33 mins A quickly-taken Galloway corner again seemed to catch the visiting backline napping and former Carlisle midfielder Ryan Baldacchino (pictured while at Brunton Park) gathered the ball before hitting a low shot that looked to have been deflected in to his own net by the onrushing United defender Chris Carr. 

It's by no means the first time that Baldacchino has netted against us, having scored at both junior and reserve level when on the books of Blackburn Rovers.

The winger also had a brief stint at Bolton, before moving on to Carlisle, then Gretna in August of this year.

36 mins Newcastle got back into the game when Alan O'Brien was tripped in the box and Lewis Guy sent the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Half time: Gretna 2 Newcastle 1

47 mins United were on the attack straight from the off in the second half and equalised when Guy worked his way along the left by-line and pulled the ball back for Jamie McClen to net.

Full time: Gretna 2 Newcastle 4 

Comment on the Gretna website:

"an enjoyable afternoon's football with some real class from both sides at times." 

Waffle

Scottish Division Three side Gretna entertained Newcastle in a friendly match at their Raydale Park ground on Saturday, taking advantage of the break in league fixtures on both sides of the border due to international matches.

And those Newcastle fans who made the journey from Tyneside were joined by a good number of more locally-based toon supporters, with the black and white striped shirt of the Magpies outnumbering the hooped variety of the home side on the terraces.

The home side were without star signing David Holdsworth due to injury, but watching from the sidelines the former Premiership player must have been pleased by the manner in which Gretna began the match, deservedly taking a two goal lead before Newcastle had roused themselves.

Included in the Gretna lineup was Ryan McGuffie, who spent two years with Newcastle after linking up with us in summer 2000 from nearby non-league side Annan Athetlic.

McGuffie exchanged pleasantries with Tommy Craig before the game and upon being withdrawn just after the hour, paused for a handshake from former reserve colleague Jamie McClen.

All in all an enjoyable way to spend a "free Saturday" by making our second-ever visit to Raydale Park. After a number of friendly games against Scottish opposition in recent seasons, a wish list of grounds has now been compiled by regular reserve-watchers - so if we announce a mini-tour of the highlands taking in Ross County and Inverness, you know who to blame.......  

Biffa

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