Hong Kong Glory For Magnificent Seven

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

In their first appearance in the annual Citibank Hong Kong Football Club International Soccer Sevens, Newcastle United won the tournament after beating Aston Villa in the final.

Willie Donachie's team of Reserve and Academy players conceded just two goals throughout the competition while Adam Campbell came of age with goals in the quarter-final, semi-final and final as the Magpies were victorious in the Far East.

United may have been the new boys but they started well on Saturday, beating local side HKFA Dragons 2-0 thanks to goals from Steven Logan and Marcus Maddison.

And Hong Kong Football Club, the hosts of the competition, were then seen off by a solitary Bradden Inman strike before the group stages ended with another 1-0 win, this time over Villa.

On Sunday, Celtic - finalists in three of the previous four years - lay in wait but despite conceding for the first time, Newcastle won 2-1 thanks to goals from Adam Campbell and Brandon Miele.

Sunderland were the semi-final opposition but boyhood United fan Campbell struck the only goal of the game to send his team through to the final.

And Campbell was again on target against Villa to give them the lead before Inman made it two with a fine effort. An unfortunate own goal from the helpless Paul Dummett made it a nervy finish but Newcastle lifted the trophy.

It was the second piece of silverware this season for United's second-string after winning the Sage Northumberland FA Senior Cup last month.

Games consisted of two seven-minute halves and the victorious squad was: Jak Alnwick, Steven Logan, Lubo Satka, Paul Dummett, James Tavernier, Brandon Miele, Bradden Inman, Marcus Maddison, Adam Campbell, JJ Hooper.

Photograph courtesy of Hubert Cheung