Hartlepool Hammered By Rampant Newcastle

Newcastle United ran riot at Victoria Park this evening, beating neighbours Hartlepool United 5-1 in a pre-season friendly.

Alan Pardew named a side containing several first team faces, including Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Shola Ameobi and former Hartlepool loanee Steve Harper.

The Toon boss was rewarded with an opening 12 minutes that saw his side score three times.

With just three minutes on the clock a good team move by the visitors saw Romain Amalfitano whip a ball into the area where captain Ameobi was on hand to coolly convert from six yards.

That lead was doubled within 90 seconds as Ameobi raced clear of the home defence and lifted the ball past an oncoming Scott Flinders in the home goal, his effort bounced off the post but found Sylvain Marveaux waiting. The Frenchman given the easy task of tapping home from close range.

Things went from bad to worse for Pools as Amalfitano and Ameobi combined yet again. The forward was on the recording end of a good pass and was promptly brought down inside the area by Flinders. Marveaux slotted home from the spot to effectively end the game as a contest.

The closest Pools came to a reply was when Steve Howard and Antony Sweeney linked up well to find Neil Austin in a wide position, he whipped a ball in for Andy Monkhouse but Steve Harper saved his effort easily.

Pools were glad to see the back of Shola Ameobi as he was substituted at the break along with Steven Taylor, they were less pleased about the arrival of Hatem Ben Arfa and Haris Vuckic, who combined for Newcastle's fourth within minutes of the restart.

A strong run by Ben Arfa was stopped in its tracks by the home side but the ball fell to Vuckic who lifted the ball over Flinders and gave his side a 4-0 lead.

The home fans were given something to cheer about when Neil Austin's free-kick had the Toon defence at sixes and sevens, Pools midfielder Antony Sweeney reacted quickest, slamming home a consolation goal.

But any feint hopes of a comeback were shortlived as substitute Gabriel Obertan smashed home from the edge of the area to round off a convincing victory for the Premier League side.

FT: Hartlepool United 1 Newcastle United 5

Attendance: 4,802 (2,503 Newcastle)

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