Barton Sparks Toon Come-Back

Last updated : 24 July 2011 By Footy Mad - Editor

UT

Joey Barton scored for Newcastle’s second string as they came from 2-0 down to beat FC Utrecht’s reserves 3-2.

The midfielder was denied entry to the US and was unable to join the first team on tour but got a run-out in Holland.

Mike Williamson to captain the team.

Newcastle (4-3-3): Ole Soderberg; Michael Richardson, Jeff Henderson, Mike Williamson, Yven Moyo; Brad Inman, Greg McDermott, Ryan Donaldson; Sammy Ameobi, Phil Airey, Joan Edmundsson

Subs: Aiden Grant, Paul Dummett, Joey Barton, Wayne Routledge, Xisco, Nile Ranger

PB

Peter Beardsley: “It was very unjust for us to be 2-0 down because from the first minute to the last minute they were outstanding, they really were.

“Not everything is perfect in pre-season but the attitude was sensational. We pressed them high in their half, caused them problems and thoroughly deserved to win.

“It was a really good game. The Dutch play good football, we knew that, and Utrecht won the Dutch Reserve league last year so we knew they’d be decent.

“At 2-0 down we almost felt like we’d had the dirty done on us because they didn’t deserve to be two goals up.

“But the character to come back from 2-0 down with less than half an hour to go was brilliant. And in the end, it was going to be four or five rather that 3-3.

“It’s two-in-two on this tour for Joey and two-in-two for Ryan, who has done very well.

“I thought Michael Richardson was really good. Right-backs sometimes score from set-plays but for him to end up, in an attacking move, right in the centre of the box was great.

“And it was very clever play from Phil Airey, who played the pass to him.

“Jeff (Henderson) was really good alongside Willo, Yven was outstanding and Sammy Ameobi for an hour was really, really good.

“But everybody was outstanding and it was one of the best performances in my short time – 14 months or so – that I’ve seen from us.

“The effort to get the ball back, the commitment – it was outstanding.”