What a Sho from the kids

By Peter Donnelly
February 18 2003

Back-up strikers Shola Ameobi and Lomana LuaLua both scored three goals between them as the Toon secured an important win in the UEFA Champions League.

The Toon Army made all the noise inside the Bay Arena, as Newcastle were on the score sheet as early as 4 minutes when LuaLua made good progress down the right wing and put in a good cross for Ameobi to head in and put United ahead.

Then on 15 minutes Ameobi got a second as he picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park, went on a good run, rode two tackles anf finished well, firing the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

It was a great start and the players were contolling the game as the Toon Army raised the volume.

However, Bayer gave us a warning on 25 minutes. Neat play on the edge of the box created the opening for the German team and Franca finished excellently to clip the ball over Given. This goal was a sign of complenency though, on our part.

This setback seemed to kick us back in action and on 32 minutes Laurent Robert delivered a brilliant cross and LuaLua, who was all on his own, finished clinically to re-gain our two goal lead and ultimately kill off the game.

In the second half not much happened, they had a goal dissallowed rightly so and had a few half chances but rarely threatened Shay Given. Newcastle had a couple of their own chances, most notibly LuaLua as he blazed his last kick high and wide after good work by Kieron Dyer.

Before the game people were saying it's a gme we should win but you have to go out there and do the business and we did, so well done to the lads, excellent result!