Articles 
The promotion party moved on to West London as the curtain was brought down on 09/10 season. 3,000+ travelling Mags were in jubilant mood with one last chance to enjoy the fantastic achievement this year, which allowed anyone who slumped, dejectedly out of Villa Park last May the opportunity to walk away from a season with a wide smile on their faces.
The match itself was total non-event, however, rumours of it being called off due to heavy rainfall swept through the travellers at around 11:45. Thankfully the game went ahead and our obligatory final fixture (We’ve known our fate for ages now) was played out in timid fashion.
The side we put out was a much changed one and it showed, as the first 45 minutes passed off with only brief forays into opposition penalty boxes and neither ‘keeper had any real action. With the match having nothing at all going for it, attentions turned to the stewards, who took some good natured banter in the spirits they were intended. Mags were popping up in all areas of the ground, one in particular found his exit from the home end was a bit more aerial than he probably would have liked. With time almost up in the opening 45 minutes one Mag thought the half should be ended there and then and his fake ‘half time whistle’ caused much confusion to everyone on the field.
The second half was expected to follow the same pattern as the first, however, Peter Ramage was dismissed on the opening seconds for a professional foul on Ameobi. The hapless Leon Best was removed and replaced by Lovenkrands and the Dane put us ahead after a fine run and through ball from Barton saw him break into the left hand side of the box. He coolly drew the QPR keeper and dinked a fine shot over him and into the roof of the net. Barton had a shot saved after a good run and cross from Routledge and sub, Haris Vuckic shot wide with his left foot from 15 yards. Tim Krul kept a clean sheet and left all Mags stunned by claiming a right wing corner, with both hands and relieving any danger. Mass ranks of stewards and police moved in to thwart eager pitch invaders but players did come over to the support to launch an assortment of kit into the away end.
When the dust settles and the hangovers wear off, those charged with ensuring the future of Newcastle United is a pleasant one, have some big decisions to make. Can a Carroll-Steven Taylor truce be formed? Are the players who flopped so badly in 08/09 now good enough to play in the top flight? What on Earth is Leon Best all about? But most importantly, does the Mike Ashley administration wish for full redemption? If so, gambling our future on bargain bucket signings is not the best way to go about things. No-one who supports NUFC is likely to be turned on by hearing how any new players must have £x amount of re-sale value. It signals that our ambitions are to do nothing other than exist and make us an easy target to be raped by the top sides with who we once competed with.
We’ll end on a positive note. This season has been good for the soul. Winning matches is a very nice feeling and as most feared for our lives before a ball was kicked, we’ve not only showed a tremendous character and resilience to defy gravity but we’ve also rammed a few words back down the many critics throats.
One last “thanks” from all at NUST goes to the players and management team for this season, and of course a big “thanks” to all you readers. Enjoy your summer. But come back ‘up for it,’ there is much to be done.
Newcastle Team:
Krul,
Ryan Taylor, Booked
Williamson, Booked
Coloccini,
Simpson,
Routledge,
Guthrie, (Vuckic 79 mins),
Smith (Captain),
Barton,
Ameobi, (Carroll 79 Mins)
Best, (Lovenkrands 54 mins).
Subs not used:
Harper,
Nolan,
Pancrate,
Donaldson.
Q.P.R. Team:
Cerny,
Leigertwood,
Ramage, Sent Off
Gorkss,
Tosic,
Ephraim (Rose 77),
Faurlin,
Buzsaky,
Cook (Parker 49),
Simpson,
Priskin.
Subs not used:
Putnins,
Balanta,
Brown,
Oastler,
German.
Referee: Darren Deadman
Man of the Match: Barton
Attendance: 16,819
League Position: 1st
