Monday night's Pontins Reserve game at Meadow Lane eventually kicked off twenty minutes later than scheduled, after a road traffic accident in Nottingham delayed the arrival of the United team coach.

Once underway and despite only having had a brief warm-up, the visitors were quickly into their stride, going ahead on 15 minutes.

A right wing centre sent over by midfielder Martin Brittain was met at the far post by Newcastle Academy forward Carl Finnigan, who netted with a perfectly-executed diving header.

And it was Finnigan again who came closest to doubling our advantage, seeing his goalbound shot kicked off the County line by Friars just five minutes after.

Newcastle continued to dominate in front of a healthy crowd that included a posse of scouts from various Premiership and Nationwide outfits.

It was Notts though who came closest to scoring just before the break when Scully evaded his marker but placed his header just wide of the United goal.

The second half followed a broadly similar path, with Newcastle showing more invention and dominating possession and County only mounting sporadic attacks.
                
However, the goal that confirmed the win came via a County boot on the hour when Baraclough's under-hit backpass to his 'keeper fell to Lewis Guy who won the consequent one onone to slot home his 3rd goal in a week.

The home side created one more reasonable opportunity on 72 minutes, only for Hannigan to blast his close-range shot wide when well-placed.

And Finnigan again popped up with the final goal of the game with ten minutes remaining, latching on to a through pass to knock the ball home past the advancing 'keeper.

(Thanks to Steve for the photos.)