Newcastle United 2
Northeast Rush 0
Report by Harvey Latimer
Newcastle United kicked their SuperCupNI campaign off with three points after defeating American opponents Northeast Rush.
Newcastle were in control of the game from start to finish and never offered Northeast Rush any opportunity to cause an upset. From the offset, Newcastle looked sharp with Guy Bloomer causing headaches for the opponents’ defence. He forced goalkeeper Andrew Watrous into action in the opening minutes, who saved his low drive with his legs. Bloomer turned provider as he set up Jude Cogdon but the midfielder fired his shot wide. It looked as though the American defence had been breached when Mo Waddani found a way through but defender Thomas Helmer made a crucial block.
The first goal did come after 14 minutes and Bloomer was the man to get it. A quick breakaway started by Matty Taylor, releasing Mo Waddani down the right, who squared it for Bloomer to lash home and give the magpies a deserved lead. The English side continued to push and Alex O’Donovan tried his luck after being played in by the lively Waddani. Northeast Rush keeper Watrous was equal to it. Newcastle centre backs Lewis Cuggy and Henry Johnston were rarely troubled and dictated the play from the back enabling their side to see out the lead until the break.
The American side started brightly in the second half. La Eh Soe got too much height on his effort before Quinnlan Mayne forced a smart save from Toon ‘keeper Tyler Jones. However, Newcastle looked unplayable at times in the second half and quick, slick attacking football put their opponents on the back foot once more. Taylor was denied by an excellent reaction save from Watrous. Mo Waddani and Archie Dodds were combining beautifully on the right hand side and the former cemented his side’s lead. After being taken down late in the box, the referee pointed to the spot. The Newcastle mercurial got himself up and hammered it into the bottom right of the net. Changes were made to provide fresh legs. American winger Serraphin Merriam tried to inspire his team by winning a free kick but nothing came of it. The Newcastle resistance could not be broken as they oozed quality throughout the 70 minutes and now go into their clash with County Tyrone with some winning momentum.