23-09-39: Newcastle United (a) 2-2 (HT 1-1) Crowd (5,000)

Match Report:

Yorkshire Post: 25-09-1939

Draw a Just Result at Newcastle

LEEDS UNITED LACK PUNCH

The second week of "friendly" matches, in which plenty of goals were scored, attracted an average attendance of 4,000. If is too early to judge the operation of the new conditions, but there are indications that the change from League to "friendly" games is of itself sufficient to ensure the restriction in attendance stipulated by the Home Office. Newcastle United and Leeds United, teams with contrasting styles, met at St. James's Park, and the 2-2 draw was a just result. The smooth Leeds blend of action and accuracy often had the home men running around in circles, but when it came to finishing off attacks, Newcastle gave their more polished First Division opponents a lesson. The result was that Lee had much more to do than Swinburne, in the home goal, and he did it well. For the first 15 minutes Leeds seemed likely to dominate the game, and then Scott scored in what was Newcastle's first real attack. Stephenson, the most constructive forward on view, showed brilliant footwork to provide Powell with the chance to equalise. Play after the interval, although often keen and fast, was not up to the standard of the first half. Pearson restored Newcastle's lead from a penalty, and Hargreaves equalised with a splendid goal. Scaife, after a shaky start, made amends in the closing stages, when Newcastle were very aggressive, though Holley was the outstanding personality in defence. Powell and Hargreaves were prominent raiders, and while Hodgson was always threatening danger, he rarely evaded Denmark. When he did he made the most of his chances, and once was unlucky to see a shot strike the upright.