1986-87 Season - February
Summary
Although we ended our miserable run of six consecutive League defeats with a home draw with Luton the outlook was still bleak as we went on to lose the next two making it one point from nine games
By the end of the month we were still rock bottom and five points away from safety.
To add to our woes we lost 1-0 at White Hart Lane in the 5th Round of the FA Cup through a dubious penalty
Diary
| 1986/87 | 7th Feb | Div 1 | Luton [H] | Drew | 2-2 [2-1] | 22,437 |
- Thomas M
- McDonald
- Wharton
- McCreery [s]
- Jackson P [1]
- Roeder
- Stephenson
- Cunningham
- Goddard [1]
- Beardsley
- Craig A
- Jackson D [s4]
Jittery United had got off to a bad start with Mike Newell wasting two promising opportunities before Ashley Grimes netted from a curling free-kick [12th]
The team gradually settled and Peter Jackson headed his first goal for United from close range [22nd] following a cross from debutant Albert Craig.
With confidence returning Goddard's neat finish from a Neil McDonald cross gave them the lead.
Further chances were spurned and The Magpies paid a heavy price when a gaffe by Wharton allowed Brian Stein to equalise [75th]. United fought back but messed up two excellent chances to win.
| 1986/87 | 14th Feb | Div 1 | QPR [A] | Lost | 1-2 [0-0] | 10,731 |
- Thomas M
- McDonald
- Wharton
- Scott
- Jackson P
- Roeder
- Thomas A
- Cunningham
- Goddard [1]
- Beardsley
- Craig A
- Jackson D
Kevin Scott was drafted in to replaced the injured McCreery and the extra defender proved useful as United struggled to contain the Londoners in a one sided first half; Martin Thomas' heroics once again saving the day
The pattern remained much the same in the Second Half despite Beardsley's prompting but then out of the blue Goddard bundled home from close range to give the visitors the lead.
Unfortunately this just woke up the Rangers who hit back almost immediately with goals from Byrne and Fillery.
After the match McFaul came under fire from the press who questioned both his tactics and his future at the club whilst also suggesting that Beardsley might put more effort into away games.
| 1986/87 | 21st Feb | FAC 5 | Spurs [A] | Lost | 0-1 [0-1] | 38,033 |
- Thomas M
- McDonald
- Wharton
- McCreery
- Jackson P
- Roeder
- Jackson D
- Thomas A [s]
- Goddard
- Beardsley
- Craig A
- Cunningham [s8]
- Scott
Twelve thousand Geordies made their way to The Smoke and they saw a brave battling display from The Magpies. But a Clive Allen penalty [22nd] when Peter Jackson was adjudged to have pushed Richard Gough made it a long journey home
United were on the defensive for most of the game with Beardsley appearing to drop deeper every game leaving Goddard increasingly isolated upfront.
Newcastle limited The Cockerels to a handful of chances with some robust defending but they never looked like scoring themselves and giving their 12,000 support something to cheer about.
| 1986/87 | 28th Feb | Div 1 | W'don [A] | Lost | 1-3 [0-1] | 6,779 |
- Thomas M
- McDonald
- Wharton
- Scott
- Jackson P
- Clarke
- Thomas A [s]
- Cunningham
- Goddard
- Beardsley [1]
- Craig A
- Wrightson [s7]
A third trip to London in a row and a third successive defeat in front of a paltry crowd; a first senior hat-trick by Andy Sayer bringing United's downfall.
Sayer scored his first within the first 10 minutes but United stood up to The Wombles direct tactics and no more scoring occurred in the first period.
Seven minutes into the second period Beardsley scored a brilliant equaliser; starting a mazy run before exchanging passes with Goddard and thumping in off the underside of the crossbar.
But within seconds United were caught napping and Sayer restored The Dons lead before wrapping up the game just after the hour.