Non-league football: Selection's a headache for Newcastle boss after victory

NEWCASTLE Town Manager Gregg Clowes believes his squad has given him food for thought ahead of the new season, after they beat Kidsgrove 3-2 in the Jimmy Wallace Memorial Trophy at Hollinwood Road.

"I thought we were excellent up front and in wide areas today, said Clowes, below. "Alan Nagington and Neville Thompson were superb, and some of the players who have come in have put themselves in contention for a starting role next week.

"I also have Chris Budrys and Jordan Johnson still to fit into this side, so it's a good selection headache."

Kidsgrove started the game brighter and could have taken the lead inside seven minutes, but Liam Shotton's powerful drive was bravely blocked by Town's Ryan Dicker.

Matt Haddrell thought he'd opened the scoring for the home side on 23 minutes, but his delicate chip from the edge of the box was ruled out for offside.

They didn't have to wait long for the breakthrough, however, as Tom Schwarz side-footed Tim Sanders's free-kick into an empty net three minutes later, after keeper Danny Reade had misjudged the flight of a cross.

Dicker thought he had equalised soon after, but his powerful header was cleared off the line by Grove's Ricky Bridge.

The imposing centre-half did get on the scoresheet on 34 minutes when he fired powerfully past Deaville at his near post, after the ball had fallen to him on the left edge of the area.

It took Newcastle just 30 seconds to go ahead after half-time, as Nagington's cross from the right was headed home at the back post by strike partner Neville Thompson.

Kidsgrove equalised two minutes before the hour-mark when Liam Shotton darted in the from the left wing and unleashed a swerving right-footed drive, which was too powerful for Reade.

Town were back ahead just seven minutes later, however, when another cross by Nagington from the right was slammed in at the near post by former Kidsgrove man Dan Skelton.

Grove failed to create many clear-cut chances thereafter, with Haddrell seeing his effort blocked well by Reade in the final minute.

Kidsgrove manager Peter Ward was left bemused by his side's lack of performance in the second half. He said: "I thought we did well in the first half, but we were really poor in the second.

"Credit to Newcastle, though. I thought they played well and deserved the win."

Kidsgrove: Deaville, Shenton, Sanders, Schwarz, Reeves, Beasley, Bridge, Dove, Haddrell, Shotton, Hall. Subs: Dunn, Smith, White, Matranga, Moss, Intihar.

Newcastle: Reade, Espley, Sheldon, Donnelly, Dicker, Douglas, Bourne, Boast, Thompson, Nagington, Skelton. Subs: Willis, McMann, Morton, Taylor.