By Nick Raynor
July 18 2005

Newcastle United sealed a win in their first game of the season, which happened to be a competitive match in the Inter-Toto Cup.

Graeme Souness will now be confident ahead of the second leg at St. James’ Park, but will not want his team to get too cocky.

 

Micheal Chopra opened the scoring very early on by beating the offside trap and running onto Milner’s through ball to slot home his first senior goal for the club.

 

After just 6 minutes, Dubnica were 2-0 down after Robert Novak turned the ball into his own net after N’Zogbia had crossed from the left wing. Alan Shearer still made sure at the back-post.

 

Dubnica did not give up though, having a penalty appeal turned down, and hitting the woodwork twice.

 

Tesak did get one back from the visitors by getting ahead of Steven Taylor and heading past a helpless Harper.

 

Harper then made some good saves to stop a fired up Dubnica equalising but Milner made the game Newcastle’s 20 minutes from time with a well placed lob.

 

FINAL SCORE: 1-3

 

Graeme Souness said:

 

"I was a little nervous coming into the game.

 

"It was always going to be a possible banana skin because they've already played four competitive matches this season and we have only been back in training for a fortnight.

 

"It was always going to be tricky, but I cannot emphasise enough how important fitness is in these games."