Should Beardsley Return As Reserve Boss?

Last updated : 11 April 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

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Beardsley was always a 'hands-on' boss, doing all the coaching and everything involved with the job as manager.

To move him to "chief scout" was bizarre in the extreme, as Pedro had sights on becoming a Premiership manager.

What the hell was he going to do with himself as scout, away from the day-to-day involvement of working with Newcastle players.

Willie Donachie was given Pedro's job and the team extend their cold streak to nine matches without a win in the FA Premier Reserve League against Arsenal.

The Magpies’ winless run goes on after a narrow 1-0 defeat against the Gunners last night at Whitley Park.

Donachie: “In the first half we gave Arsenal too much respect.

“We felt sorry for ourselves a bit.

“But in the second half we emerged with some credit and had a right go at them.

“We met the targets that were set at the break, in terms of shots and crosses.

“And I was quite pleased. Perhaps they could have scored in the last few minutes.

“But before that we hit the bar and had two cleared off the line.

“We certainly showed character in the second half.”

NEWCASTLE UTD RES 0 ARSENAL RES 1

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Arsenal grabbed the lead on 18 minutes when Eisfeld spun Jeff Henderson and dinked it casually past Jak Alnwick after a right wing cross.

The Gunners could have doubled their lead before the break when Iganasi Miguel cracked a shot against the bar as Arsenal poured forward.

Arsenal had plenty of possession in the first half but Newcastle couldn’t find an answer to it as they created very few clear cut opportunities.

The Magpies made a change at the break as Marcus Maddison replaced Yven Moyo.

Just two minutes into the second half Michael Richardson found space in the left-hand channel and rifled a right footed effort at goal with Gunners keeper James Shea.

Six minutes later and Dan Taylor’s cross from the right found Ryan Donaldson who took the ball down well enough but his shot whistled over the bar.

Maddison’s 63rd-minute cross was headed just wide by Jeff Henderson from close range with Shea rooted to the spot.

Both Phil Airey and Donaldson then had efforts hacked off the line as the Gunners held on to their lead.

With six minutes left Partick Nzuzi’s corner fell for Richardson but the flame-haired midfielder cracked the angle of post and bar.

In injury time, Alnwick kept out Hector Bellerin with his feet as Arsenal tried to seal three points.