Newcastle entered our 4th home game in a row (3 league and 1 cup) as we welcomed league newcomers city of Liverpool to the Red Industries stadium.
Both teams started very brightly with City of Liverpool having an early chance which Castle keeper Owen Mooney was alert and ready for and Castle also had a few early chances to break the deadlock but the killer ball was just what was missing from the team. City of Liverpool were very much in the game with their no10 Jack Hazelhurst causing all sorts of issues in the middle of the pitch with his turn of pace and skill ability, and it was Hazelhurst who burst into the box and managed to get a cross into the 6 yard area for Freddie Potter to be unmarked at the back post and volley the ball into the back of the net to give COLFC the lead in the game. Castle had chances from set pieces but the COLFC defense was very much on hand to the task and were there to clear the ball and block attempts well leaving Catsle the more frustrated at the break.
HALF TIME
Newcastle 0-1 City of Liverpool
At the start of the second half castle were still applying the pressure to get back into the game and were getting chances from all Deadball opportunities but the COLFC keeper and defence were standing strong and winning the second ball and getting it clear from danger. Castle made some good moves into the box however when the cross was to come the players were not on the end of the ball or it was to deep for the players to get on to but the chances were coming and castle were very much on top. Then a foul on 58 minutes on Jack van der Laan allowed Joe Berks the opportunity to step up from about 30 yards out to smash the ball into the top corner and bring castle level in the game which at this point was much deserved.
Castle then continued their dominance of play and getting forward with Nathan Morley going close and causing issues with his pace and Will Gibbons going close after a lovely ball into him from the impressive Jack van der Laan but for him to put his shot just wide of the post. James Askey also pushing more forward delivered a curling ball into the box which Ryan Baxter got onto only for the COLFC keeper to tip over the post. The chances were very much with Castle however if you don't take them then there is a chance you will get punished and on 78 minutes we did when a breakaway from COLFC and their impressive 10 Hazelhurst allowed him to cross to the back post for an unmarked Freddie Potter to rise into the air and power a header past Mooney for his second of the afternoon and restore the COLFC lead. Then moments later a similar pattern of play as sub Xenon Bahula powered down the wing to square the ball to Rigby who slotted it under the advancing keeper to extend the COLFC lead to two goals and ultimately condemn Castle to a 3rd defeat of the season.
FULL TIME
Newcastle 1-3 City of Liverpool
Newcastle Town Team
Mooney, Berks GOAL (MOTM), Morley, Harrison (Fishman), Askey, Dennis, Vale, T van der Laan, Gibbons (Arber), J van der Laan, Baxter
Unused Subs
Howell, Jarman, Kurasik