Champions at last! Plymouth 0-2 Newcastle United.
Posted on April 20th, 2010 | 100 Comments |
There was no trophy presentation last night, that will come against Ipswich on Saturday in front of a packed out St James’ Park. Credit must go to the guy working the Plymouth PA system as he belted out a plethora of songs related to Newcastle United after the final whistle. It was a bit surprising given that the home side had just been relegated but it was welcomed with open arms by some away fan’s who made their way onto the pitch to join the players in celebration. Plymouth kicked off the hospitality with a banner saying “Congratulations Newcastle from the Green Army” greeting the players as they emerged from the tunnel before kick-off. I have to say that after last night I hope they can bounce straight back up after relegation and I can wholeheartedly say that I will be looking out for their results from now on. A proper club, with proper fan’s, and if they stick by Paul Mariner and John Carver they will be fine.
Both sides knew what was at stake, but it was Plymouth who gained an early foothold in the match, although they failed to take the early chances that came their way. Despite the hosts fine start the away side struck first on 20 minutes, Andy Carroll looping a header into the corner of the net from Joey Barton’s corner kick. Just 8 minutes later it was Barton again who bagged an assist as he executed a perfect through ball for Wayne Routledge to run on to leaving the winger to round the keeper and roll into an empty net.
Plymouth came out in the second half and played with passion and commitment but the closest they really came to scoring was when Alan Judge cracked a shot off the crossbar from fully 30 yards. Newcastle had their own chances to extend the lead with Leon Best being unlucky to see his own long distance shot rattle the crossbar and Joey Barton forcing an instinctive reflex save from Plymouth ‘keeper Stockdale. It wasn’t to be however and the scoreline remained 2-0.
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton said after the game:
“I think we got to a stage where we couldn’t shout from the rooftops but we were comfortable that we were going to go up. We got to that stage and probably for a little while it’s been about winning the title and I couldn’t be any prouder of this group of players.”
“They have gone from day one and we have probably had one blip during the season, they came back from that strongly and went on a very good run. We have been the team to beat all season. We have a magnificent support that have made every stadium that we have gone to a big occasion, including tonight.”
I really do feel for Plymouth though, especially after their hospitality last night. On the plus side I have found myself a second team to support and I know what they are going through right now, we did the same last season remember? And at least their players tried when they knew they had to get a result.
Howay the lads, well played Janners!
Plymouth: Stockdale, Rede Johnson, Eckersley, Ngala, Bhasera (Bolasie 81), Duguid, Fletcher, Johnson, Judge, Mackie, Wright-Phillips (Mason 75).
Subs: Larrieu, Barker, Clark, Kari Arnason, Bolasie, Fallon, Mason.
Newcastle United: Harper, Jose Enrique, Hall (Kadar 83), Williamson, Simpson, Nolan (Best 70), Barton, Guthrie, Routledge, Smith, Carroll (Ameobi 70).
Subs: Krul, Taylor, Kadar, Pancrate, Lovenkrands, Best, Ameobi.
Attendance: 13,111.
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
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