By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
A two-goal trialist caught the eye as Newcastle Reserves got their pre-season campaign off to the best possible start with a win over Hamilton, but Willie Donachie was quick to acknowledge the contribution of some of his more established players.
United's Reserve Team Manager could hardly fail to be impressed by the unnamed French teenager, whose brace came inside the opening 24 minutes, and admitted that he "would take him" if the price was right.
But Donachie, who watched the Scottish side beat Sunderland's second-string 3-1 earlier in the week, was also full of praise for the likes of Paul Dummett, Bradden Inman, Conor Newton and Michael Richardson, who all signed new one-year contracts in the summer.
"It went very well because Hamilton, although they're a young team, are an experienced team," Donachie told nufc.co.uk. "A lot of them have played in the Scottish Premier League or the First Division so to beat them was good.
"A lot was down to the more experienced people we had - Dummy at the back, Brad, Conor and Michael. Their organisation and experience helped our younger players."
The majority of the Accies starting line-up had played first-team football while none of the Newcastle side have worn a black and white shirt at senior level. And in the second half, first-year scholars Lubo Satka, Liam Smith and Ryan McKinnon were introduced, with second-years like Lee Desmond and Esteban Cardona Lopez also doing well.
"It was good to see, especially in the second half, so many young players for us," said Donachie. "They've got a lot to learn and a long way to go but it's the first step in your development, playing against a league team basically, and playing with the Reserves.
"There were a lot of good things and to win gave them confidence. The other nice thing was that we tried to put into practice what we've been working on and for the first game we showed a lot of good signs. Normally you're very rusty and the touch isn't there, but we played some good football."
