Three goalless games before these two tricky away fixtures at sides below United in the table.

Preston (a) 3-2
Tues Oct 7th, 1980

The three match goal famine was ended in style at Deepdale in this Tuesday evening fixture. The return of Mick Martin to the midfield, after a year on the sidelines through injury provided the required boost, although Preston brought it back level after being two down. Goals from Gordon Coleman and former Magpie Alex Bruce looked to have earned a point before a late attempt from Billy Rafferty was unwittingly diverted in by Bobby Shinton. Bobby Shinton immediately becomes joint top goalscorer in the league for United with two goals.

Diary entry

"Newcastle v Preston 0-2 to Newcastle at H.T. Then 2-2. Then with 6mins left we won 3-2. Shinton 2 Rafferty 1. Then went to bed."

Journal Merit Marks: Carr 7, Kelly 6, Davies 6, Walker 6, Boam 6, Mitchell 6, Shoulder 7, Rafferty 7, Martin 6, Hibbitt 6, Shinton 7.

Shinton's two goal salvo lifts him above Ray Clarke and into the unchartered territories of an average of 6.00...:

Bristol City (a) 0-2
Sat Oct 11th, 1980

City's second was a penalty from Ritchie which beat Kevin Carr.  

Diary entry

"Then listened to United game on radio. 0-0 at H.T. Then in second half 1-0 then 2-0 to Bristol C. We are 9th.".

Journal Merit Marks: Carr 7, Kelly 7, Davies 7, Martin 6, Boam 7, Mitchell 6, Shoulder 6, Rafferty 6, Shinton 7, Hibbitt 7, Wharton 6.

Not much change apart from the rise of Bobby Shinton who has leapt up from bottom spot to seventh bottom with two consecutive 7s. Crikey:

Next time - The Swans fly into Toon, Russell Cushing waxes lyrical about his Snatch of the Day and a new film called Escape to Victory is about to be released....

Niall MacKenzie

Halcyon Days