United reserves finished the season on high after winning the silverware through a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Blyth Spartans in the Northumberland Senior Cup Final.
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Both sides couldn’t find the net after 90 minutes before Blyth’s Andrew Leeson put his team into the lead from close range on 5 minutes into extra-time.
United young professionals responded quickly and it was Kazenga LuaLua who produced a stunning 25-yard scorcher to level the scores within seconds. The game ended 1-1 and goes into penalties.
Garry Brown missed Blyth’s first penalty when his drive cannoned off the bar, but Toon substitute Frank Danquah spot-kick was able to saved by the Spartans goalkeeper Adam Bartlet.
But, in a much of similar great reaction from our stopper Fraser Forster, give the advance for United youngster after saving the kick from Blyth’s goalscorer Leeson.
And it was Mark Doninger, with a confident finish past former Magpie youngster Adam Bartlett, finally win it for the Geordies and voted as man-of-the-match.
NEWCASTLE RESERVES:
Forster; Morris, Donniger, Tozer, Lough; Godsmark, Toisi (Marwood 62), LuaLua; Donaldson, Ngo Baheng (Danquah 55). Subs (not used): Soderberg, Ferguson.
BLYTH SPARTANS:
Bartlet; Christensen, Leeson, Williams, Boyle (Snowdon 45); Webster, Brown, McCabe, Houlahan (Johnson 71); Dale (Dalton 90), Birks. Subs (not used): Hedley, Fenton.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Ashington)
Attendance: 2,021