15mins Marcus Maddison shot 0-1

30mins Greg McDermott header 0-2

Half time: Heed 2 Toon 0

Full time: Heed 2 Toon 0

Peter Beardsley's U21 side began their public preparations on Friday, when they provided the opposition in a testimonial game for Gateshead's Jamie Curtis - who has made a club record 506 appearances in defence for the Tynesiders since his debut back in 2003.

Before kickoff, an immaculately observed silence was conducted in memory of John Alder and Liam Sweeney (John was also a Gateshead FC season ticket holder) and both sides wore black armbands.

Ex-Magpie Marcus Maddison opened the scoring after 15 minutes, slamming home from the edge of the box for his third consecutive goal in this fixture - having netted here for Gateshead last season and in the colours of Newcastle back in 2012.

The lead was then doubled on the half hour when another ex-Mag Greg McDermott - watched by his father Terry - headed in a cross from fellow SJP old boy Lewis Guy. McDermott is currently without a club and on trial for Gateshead boss Gary Mills to assess.

A pathetic display from Newcastle never remotely looked like seeing them find the net, Tynesiders custodian Adam Bartlett making just one routine stop to record a clean sheet against his old club.

And only two noteworthy blocks from opposite number Brendan Pearson after the break prevented the home side from increasing their lead - with the woodwork denying Gateshead substitute Kanda Rankine late on.

Long-serving defender Curtis was substituted in the closing moments to loud applause, with 39 year-old assistant manager Darren Caskey taking his place. It's over 20 years since Caskey was in the Spurs side beaten at White Hart Lane by two goals from the man in charge of United U21s tonight, Peter Beardsley. 

With the senior squad en route to New Zealand and outcasts Hatem Ben Arfa and Sylvain Marveaux nowhere to be seen, competitive first team experience in the side was restricted to Shane Ferguson and Gael Bigirimana.

Sadly though, neither were remotely interested in making a positive contribution - their younger and inexperienced colleagues seemingly incapable of doing so. 

Aside from the financial boost to the home side by the  healthy crowd (benefiting testimonial nominee Curtis on this occasion), it's questionable what merit there is in footballing terms by continuing to stage this game. 

Given the tragic events commemorated before kickoff, this was a suitably sombre spectacle, accurately summarised as a "predominantly one-sided affair" by the official Heed website.

Biffa