A festive treat for Magpies ONE of Newcastle’s greatest derby successes came on December 22, 1956, as they thrashed Sunderland 6-2 at St James’ Park.

‘Tynesider’ was at the game for The Northern Echo, and the following are excerpts from his report: WHAT a Christmas present Newcastle United gave themselves and their supporters with this magnificent victory over their old rivals at St James’ Park.

Fewer than 30,000 saw the match, believing it would never be played. If they were United supporters they missed a real treat; if from Roker, it was just as well.

In the fog and gloom, even with the floodlights on from the start, this young, enthusiastic and determined United side fairly hammered Sunderland into the mud, and well they deserved their win, a win that completed the double over the Roker team for the second successive season.

It was touch and go that the match was ever played for the fog was thick over the city even when, with only half an hour to go, the gates were opened.

The pitch itself was in an atrocious condition, with water lying in huge pools on a surface that was more like a skating rink.

The all-international forward line from Roker was completely outshone by the young and comparatively inexperienced attack fielded by United. Young Alec Tait, leading the line, celebrated his first appearance in a Tyne- Wear derby with a great hattrick – what a Christmas box indeed for this grand young player.

The man of the match, however, was little Reg Davies, who is still on the transfer list.

He answered fully his critics who said he would be no good when the heavy grounds came along.

On the other side Sunderland’s inside trio of Shackleton, Fleming and Revie were not impressive. Revie, back in the side after a three weeks’ absence, was rarely in the game after the first few minutes, and on this showing looks a better right half than an inside man.

Looking at both attacks the point that stands out is that Sunderland must introduce some young blood. Another is that pretty mid-field passing under such conditions does not pay.

United’s was the steadier defence with Casey – what a shot the man has – and Scoular, two grand fighting wing halves. Between them Stokoe rarely put a foot wrong and Keith and Batty were always on the job.

Wearsiders hope for repeat of 1979 win

WHEN Sunderland make the short journey to St James’ Park for the Tyne and Wear derby on Sunday, they will be hoping for a repeat of the famous 1-4 win back in 1979. On February 24, 21-year-old Gary Rowell was the hero after he scored a superb hattrick in one of Sunderland’s most famous victories over their arch rivals.

Newcastle fans were sent into shock after only six minutes, when Rowell rose above everyone else to head in from a Jeff Clarke free-kick.

Twenty minutes later, Sunderland found themselves 2-0 up after Arnott played in Rowell, who fired in his second of the game.

The away side could easily have been three up at halftime when Bob Lee finished, but his effort was flagged offside. Unsurprisingly, Newcastle came out fighting in the second half and within five minutes, pulled one back through John Connolly.

However, any sniff of a comeback from the home side was dismissed when Rowell got his hat-trick after converting a penalty, before Entwistle completed the rout.

The result was Sunderland’s greatest derby victory since the 9-1 demolition in the 1908-9 season and was made sweeter by the fact Rowell was Sunderland born and bred.