Maritimo 0 Newcastle 0: Bigi bank pays out but Toon struggle

He is known as ‘Bigi’, and Gael Bigirimana proved he has the stature to challenge Newcastle’s more  established midfielders and forge a long-term future under Alan Pardew.
After snapping him up from Coventry City in the summer, Pardew asked the 18-year-old to shore up an injury-decimated side that contained just two players, in Steven Taylor and Davide Santon, who could consider themselves automatic starters.

So close: Shola Ameobi (centre) hits the post

Match facts

Maritimo: Salin, Briguel, Joao Guilherme, Roberge, Luis Olim, Rafael Miranda, Joao Luiz, Heldon (Fidelis 54), David Simao (Goncalo Abreu 75), Sami, Danilo Dias (Adilson 82).
Subs Not Used: Lima De Oliveira, Joao Diogo, Marcio Rosario, Igor Rossi.
Booked: David Simao.
Newcastle: Elliot, Perch, Williamson, Steven Taylor, Santon, Obertan (Marveaux 80), Bigirimana, Gosling, Amalfitano (Ferguson 76), Shola Ameobi, Vuckic (Sammy Ameobi 53).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Tavernier, Abeid, Campbell.
Booked: Bigirimana,Amalfitano,Santon.
Att: 4,000
Ref: Robert Schorgenhofer (Austria).
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His response did more than  anything to stifle Maritimo’s attacking threat and left his manager enthusing: ‘There were times when the game became a bit too open, when we were  trying to win it, but nine times out of 10, Bigi was on hand to shut up shop.
‘He was so calm as well, and it is clear, at his age, that he has a great future. I thought he and Dan Gosling were terrific in  central midfield, and, considering all the injuries, the performance was outstanding.’
Pardew saw his widespread changes as a chance for fringe players to impress, but he might not have welcomed seeing his defence being subjected to quite such a rigorous examination in the early stages.
A bobbly surface hardly suited Newcastle’s passing style, but it may just have spared them the ignominy of going behind in only the second minute.
A flowing move ended with David Simao whipping in a low cross that looked tailor-made for the onrushing Heldon, until an awkward bounce sent the ball looping over his outstretched boot.

Impressive: Newcastle United's Gael Bigirimana, right,

Floored: Newcastle United's Shola Ameobi

S close: Dan Gosling fires his shot against the post

 

The Funchal team’s Dos  Barreiros ground can scarcely be confused with St James’ Park.
Until recently, it had three open sides, and though construction on new seating is well advanced, the decaying main stand remains the only means of following games.
Despite the humble surroundings, there was nothing inferior about Maritimo’s players, as they carved out three more openings before Newcastle managed so much as a glimpse of goal.
Rob Elliot produced a fine reflex save to deny Sami, from an 11th-minute corner by Heldon, and rescued his side again with a block from Sami, who had burst through with alarming ease.
Even then the danger was not over, as Taylor stuck out a leg to prevent Danilo Dias finishing off the rebound.
Newcastle were stretched again in the 15th minute, when Heldon cut in from the right and shot  narrowly wide of the far post.
Finally, they began to come to terms with a difficult surface and fired-up opponents.
Mike Williamson and Shola  Ameobi both went close in a  frantic scramble in the 28th minute, and Gosling struck the bottom of a post with a  left-foot drive seconds later.
Gabriel Obertan then saw his angled shot sail a foot the wrong side of the far post on the half-hour.
Pardew thanked locals for the warmth of their welcome, at his pre-match press conference, but there was little bonhomie on show when Joao Luiz ignored an instruction to play a dropped ball back to Elliot, after an injury to a Maritimo player.

Ouch! Dan Gosling clashes with Maritimo's defender Joao Guilherme

Feet first: Maritimo's Brazilian midfielder Joao Luiz

Frustrated: Alan Pardew

IN FOCUS

Vurnon Anita
Added to Alan Pardew’s problems by flying home to be with his wife, who had gone into labour. After the game, Pardew was still waiting to hear if his midfielder had become a dad.

Rob Elliot
Made the most of his European debut with a string of fine saves to keep a clean sheet. His only other appearance was against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup, 12 months ago to the day.

Wagging a finger at referee Robert Schorgenhofer, Luiz started advancing towards Newcastle’s area, and when Gael Bigirimana was booked for felling him with a late challenge, it sparked an angry row between the two managers.
They were still at it when the half-time whistle sounded seconds later, Pardew catching up with Pedro Martins and reinforcing his disgust at what did appear an unsporting gesture by the  Maritimo midfielder.
Newcastle came close again on the 47th minute, but Shola Ameobi’s curled effort hit the woodwork. But it was Maritimo who threatened from then on, most notably when substitute Fidelis shaved the post in the 59th minute and Santon deflected a Valentin Roberge header on to his own bar in the 81st minute.
Newcastle held on, and Pardew had good cause for considering a hard-earned away point an ideal start to another group campaign, given his starting line-up’s almost unrecognisable appearance.

Heads up: Newcastle's Sammy Ameobi climbs above the defence

High jump: Gosling, top, avoids Luis Olim

Missed it: Newcastle's defender Mike Williamson