Newcastle Res 2 Wanderers Res 3

SCOTT Green claimed the spot prize as Wanderers reserves went a long way to putting their relegation fears behind them at St James' Park last night.

Green confidently knocked in two penalties to help the Burnden 2nd Xl to come from behind and score a well deserved win. And he could have had a hat-trick in a strong finish, volleying a good chance over the Newcastle bar and having a header cleared off the line.

The game, in which Colin Todd again ran the rule over Volendam midfielder Bjorn Lindenbergh, also saw the return from injury of Keith Branagan and Gerry Taggart.

Branagan, out of action seven weeks with a knee problem, gave a typically solid performance while Taggart put in some hard work to test his fitness after recovering from an ankle injury that has plagued him since January. Wanderers were in front after just two minutes when Wayne Burnett and Green combined before Scott Taylor scored with a 20-yard chip. But the Magpies, who included Warren Barton, John Beresford and Lee Clark, were level two minutes later when Jimmy Crawford beat Branagan with a header.

Stuart Elliott put the home side ahead from the penalty spot on 15 minutes after Steve McAnespie had brought down the dangerous Darren Huckerby but Wanderers always had the edge and were good value for the verdicts that gave Green his double chance.

The first came five minutes before half-time when Taylor's presence pressured Crawford into a clear handball offence and the tie-breaker came on 61 minutes when David Beharrell brought down Stuart Whittaker. Wanderers: Branagan, McAnespie, Small, Lindbergh, Todd, Taggart, Lee, Burnett, Green, Taylor, Whittaker. Subs (not used) Strong, Powell, Glennon.

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