NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Kevin Keegan could only watch on tonight as his second string were beaten by Northern League outfit Newcastle Benfield in the club's opening friendly of the campaign.
There were no first team stars on show at Sam Smiths Park but Keegan watched on from the touchline alongside Terry McDermott, Chris Hughton and Arthur Cox.
The Toon kids went down 6-2 at the hands of Paddy Atkinson's side despite snatching an early lead through Ryan Donaldson on two minutes who latched on to Mark Doninger's pass.
Benfield quickly turned things round to go 2-1 up but a great finish from Jonny Godsmark levelled the game up at 2-2 before the home side rained in goals to go in 5-2 up at the break.
United managed to limit the damage in the second half with the final score 6-2 but nevertheless second string coach Adam Sadler was a disappointed figure at the end of his game's first work out of the season.
He said: "We're disappointed but we have to use pre-season to look at fitness not just performance.
"The lads though were disappointed to concede six but if you don't defend properly you get punished."
Full match report and reaction in tomorrow's Chronicle
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