Chopra Goal Secures Win

Michael Chopra pounced on a short back pass from Gary Stopforth three minutes before the end of the first half to score the only goal of the game between United and Blackburn Rovers in the Reserve League.

But this was seen as a big test for Australian defender Craig Moore, who was stopped from linking up with the Aussie international squad this week ... to continue his comeback from a hamstring injury in this match.

It was indeed more than a walk in the park for Moore, who was up against Paul Dickov, who is himself returning from injury.

Poor weather conditions in Lancashire didn't help the flow of the match, and the second-half was a none event.

But Dickov had two good chances to level before being replaced, while Chopra could have scored his and Newcastle's second three minutes from time but he shot high and wide after a slip from defender Tony Kane.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Fraser Forster, Craig Baxter, Chris Farman, Craig Moore, David Edgar, Kris Gate, Martin Brittain, Matty Pattison, Carl Finningan, Michael Chopra, Phil Cave.
Subs: Liam Atkin, Mark Cook, Chris Shanks, Glenn Reay, Michael Terrell.

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