Latics unlucky in opening day defeat
By Oscar Wilde
August 21 2006
Latics were unlucky not to earn something from a battling performance in an opening day defeat at St. James’ Park.
Heavy rain made the playing surface difficult for the players as
£5.5Million signing Emile Heskey almost scored in the opening minutes when Titus Bramble slipped and Heskey pounced, only to see his low shot screw wide.
In the 38th minute, Shola Ameobi chested down Stephen Carr’s pass before checking inside the area and dinking the ball to Scott Parker, who fended off Paul Scharner and headed to the ball past Chris Kirkland.
Latics were unlucky to go in at half-time a goal down after Henri Camara headed against Shay Given’s right hand post from a Luis Valencia delivery.
Lee McCulloch handed Latics a lifeline in the 59th minute when Heskey headed a Carr clearance into his path and he curled the ball past Given from 15 yards.
The game appeared to be in Latics’ hands who anjoyed the better of the play, but in the 64th minute Charles N’Zogbia picked up a Damien Duff backheel and fired a venomous shot from 30 yards which Kirkland could only parry, Ameobi was on hand to put the loose ball into the net to secure 3 points for the Magpies.
Latics strove for an equaliser with de Zeeuw, Camara and Landzaat each going close, but their efforts proved ultimately fruitless.
In the dying seconds Bramble appeared to handle a Fitz Hall throw inside the area, but referee Martin Atkinson waved away all appeals and Latics manager Paul Jewell kicked a bucket (literally rather than metaphorically) in his frustration.
Paul Jewell:
"For me Shay Given was taking ages with every goal-kick and free-kick and kicking the ball away.
"We got two bookings, but our keeper has got ice on his leg from a nasty challenge. "I thought there was a rule against booking
"I am disappointed with the result although I am very happy with the performance but I felt we deserved more than that.
"In the first twenty minutes we looked edgy and a little disjointed, but after that I thought we were the better side although they scored when we were having our best period.
"Once we scored, we had set pieces, we had two chances cleared off the line, and we hit the post, and their 'keeper made a great save and we arguably could have had a penalty, so there are plenty of positives to come out of this. We looked like we could score goals, whereas last year we lacked that.
"In the second half we looked dangerous and once we scored the goal, I thought they were hanging on a bit. However, we made a mistake in the middle of the park and we end up having to pick the up from the back of the net which was disappointing.
"It was a difficult pitch, although it was the same for both sides. It was unusual to have so much rain on the first day of the season, but both sets of players equipped themselves well.
"It's not an easy place to come and play here at St. James' Park but I thought we more than matched them on the pitch."
Subs Not Used: Harper, Milner.
Booked: Luque.
Goals: Parker 38, Ameobi 64.
Latics:
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Jackson, Wright.
Booked:
Goal: McCulloch 59.
Att: 51,569
Ref: M Atkinson (