Game of three halves, a right Royal rumpus – this was no training session

NEWCASTLE United and Royal Antwerp managed to make a decent contest of what might have been no more than a glamourised training game at the Pinitar Arena. The fact it did not end up like that was a testament to the attitude of both sides, who approached this one-off 135-minute friendly fixture like a fully-blown first-team game. In all truth, perhaps the two teams played it with too much intensity as the tackles flew in and the game grew heated in places. Referee Jose Gambin had his hands full at times, while senior players from both sides were needed to kee p things calm. The clash was played out in windy conditions with the temperature no higher than 16 degrees in San Pedro del Pinatar.

Newcastle made an early attack down the left but Jacob Murphy’s cross was hacked clear and the Magpies did not make the most of Jonjo Shelvey’s corner.

Headers from Florian Lejeune and Matt Ritchie in the opening exchanges did not trouble Sinan Bolat, while an overhead kick from Laurent Mendy flew over at the other end.

On 13 minutes, Jonjo Shelvey made a good driving run through the middle before sending a shot wide.

Joselu missed a great chance from a close-range header after 20 minutes before a powerful run by Massadio Haidara resulted in a free-kick.

Shelvey stepped up but could only blast it over the bar.

With 26 minutes gone, Newcastle won another free-kick from 25 yards.

Shelvey stepped up to take it quickly in a bid to catch the goalkeeper by surprise - but Bolat recovered at the last second to keep the ball out.

Matt Ritchie cut a great ball across the box on 33 minutes to create a good chance for Mikel Merino but he could only strike the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

Ritchie kicked the sponsor board in sheer frustration with the ball on a plate for his team-mate.

Newcastle grabbed the lead on 41 minutes after Chancel Mbemba played a great ball forward into the path of Ritchie. The winger kept his composure and then dinked a delightful effort over Bolat to hand Newcastle the goal their play deserved.

Benitez made changes during the first intermission with Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles and Isaac Hayden replacing Lejeune, Mbemba and Shelvey.

The second period began with Ritchie firing a powerful effort wide of goal before a Lascelles header needed the full attention of Antonio Jezina.

Both teams played the game with a competitive edge, Haidara picking up a yellow card for a foul on Stallone Limcombe.

Midway through the second 45-minute stint, Ritchie was taken down in the box but the referee waved away protests for a penalty.

A powerful shot from Ritchie was then sent wide moments later. Atsu’s cross from the left was aimed for Murphy but it rolled wide after the ex-Norwich winger could not get a connection. Newcastle ended the 90 minutes with a 1-0 lead but frustrations were starting to boil over, Haidara warned about his conduct for another clash with Limcombe. The game then went into a third period, agreed by both clubs to improve match fitness, but it was Royal Antwerp who started the better of the two sides. Substitute Alexander Corryn curled home to level the game, Nathan Harker’s first contribution of the game to pick the ball out of the net. Newcastle responded in positive fashion and, after Victor Fernandez struck one straight at the goalkeeper, Dwight Gayle sprinted through moments later for a one on one