Town 2 - 1 Newcastle U23s - Late Martin strike earns Town victory

Aaron Martin’s late strike secured a 2-1 win for Town as Simon Weaver’s side continued their pre-season preparations with victory against Newcastle under-23’s.

Town had taken an early lead through Connor Hall’s first-half header but saw their lead cancelled out by Kyle Crossley before Martin’s winner on a sweltering afternoon in North Yorkshire that saw the return of fans to the Envirovent Stadium.

Town named a strong starting line-up, which saw first starts at the Envirovent Stadium for summer additions Mark Oxley, Nathan Sheron, Alex Pattison and Luke Armstrong.

There was early danger for Town within the first five minutes when a slick pass put Reagan Thomson in behind the home defence. Will Smith’s well-timed intervention cut out the danger though but the defender’s day was cut short soon after when he was replaced by Connor Hall after being forced off with a thigh injury.

Town almost took the lead on 10 minutes when a deep corner from George Thomson was met at the far post by the onrushing Rory McArdle with the defender forcing a point-blank save from Jake Turner.

With the playing conditions encouraging Town’s passing game, a wonderful team move down the right-hand side saw an effort created for Armstrong but his right-footed effort was narrowly wide of the far post.

Great work from Jack Muldoon on 25 minutes freed up Thomson on the right and his first-time cross was flicked on by Armstrong to Simon Power, but he hit his strike well over the bar.

Pattison then went close when his solo run and shot resulted in a powerful effort that was narrowly wide with Turner well beaten in the visitors goal.

Town’s right-hand side was proving to be a profitable source and on 35 minutes Thomson again found himself with plenty of space and he let fly from outside the area but this time Turner could watch the ball sail harmlessly wide.

There was a change for the visitors five minutes before the break when De Bolle replaced Thomson.

Minutes later Town had the lead they deserved. Another deep corner from Thomson found the unmarked Hall who headed back across the goal past Turner to make it 1-0.

In stoppage time excellent hold-up play from Muldoon released Power, whose run forced a Town corner which again saw Thomson and Hall combine for an effort that almost saw Town double their lead.

The visitors made ten changes at the break with De Bolle, who himself had come on in the first 45 minutes, the only survivor.

And having rung the changes, the visitors were immediately on level terms. A fantastic run from Crossley took him beyond the Town defence and he himself finished the move off when he slotted beyond Oxley.

Minutes later Town were almost back in front when Armstrong’s cross flashed across the box and narrowly evaded the incoming Muldoon and Thomson.

And Muldoon was then at his menacing best again on 55 minutes when his snap shot forced a smart from the visitors keeper.

Weaver made four changes just after the hour mark when Lloyd Kerry, Aaron Martin, Danilo Orsi and Trialist replaced Josh Falkingham, Muldoon, Armstrong and Thomson.

The changes sparked the home side into action almost immediately with Pattison seeing his effort blocked by the opposition defence.

Substitute Kerry was then in the thick of things when his clever turn and weighted pass released one the trialists with their effort from distance coming back off the post.

Town continued to press in search of a winner despite the difficult playing conditions.

Orsi went close with a run and shot from the edge of the area before Martin was first to a low cross to slide the ball home at the far post to seal a deserved win for Weaver’s side.

Town have a further pair of games at the Envirovent Stadium this week, with Rotherham the opponents on Wednesday before Sunderland visit next Saturday.

TOWN: Oxley, Sheron, Burrell, McArdle, Smith (Hall, 13), Thomson (Trialist, 62), Falkingham (Kerry, 62), Pattison, Power (Trialist, 52), Muldoon (Orsi, 62), Armstrong (Martin, 62).

Subs not used: Cracknell.

Goals: Hall (43), Martin (83).

Newcastle under-23’s first-half XI: Turner, Barrett, Wiggett, Cross, Bondswell, Thomson (De Bolle, 38), Young, White, Allan, Wilson, Stephenson.

Newcastle under-23’s second-half XI: Brown, Scott, Longelo, De Bolle, Stewart, Miley, Ferguson, McEntee, Crossley, Savage, Flaherty.
Goal: Crossley (51).