York City boss Mills runs rule over Daniel Kearns (From York Press)

York City boss Mills runs rule over Daniel Kearns

10:49am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Sport

PETERBOROUGH United midfielder Daniel Kearns played 90 minutes for York City yesterday as they beat a Newcastle United Reserve outfit 3-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at their Wigginton Road training ground.

Jamie Reed bagged a brace for the Minstermen, scoring in each half, to boost his hopes of a first-team recall, with Oli Johnson grabbing the third in the last minute, as Gary Mills’ men prevailed against a committed Toon outfit containing a number of young players.

A strong City side, featuring Clarke Carlisle, Jonathan Smith, David McGurk and Lee Bullock, as well as the returning Scott Kerr, turned out as Mills took the opportunity to look at 21-year-old Kearns, who has played 20 times for Posh but has not featured this season.

His deep corner found an unmarked Reed at the far post for the opening goal after eight minutes but Newcastle levelled when Carlisle was poorly caught out in possession and Brad Inman laid on Adam Campbell for a simple finish.

York regained the lead with 18 minutes left when Kearns’ blocked shot fell to Reed and he hit a superb, first-time, curler into Newcastle goalkeeper Jak Alnwick’s top left corner, before Johnson passed into the net following a good turn as time ran out.

On Kearns, Mills said: “He’s a good lad with two good feet. He sees a pass and I like him.

“He’s a good player. He played 20 games for Peterborough last season but hasn’t been involved this time so we got the opportunity to have a look at him and we will see where we go.

“We will make a decision and see if we take it further.”

He continued: “Players needed this game. It keeps them sharp.

“Reedy has got two goals and there were a few questions asked. It was competitive. There were a few tackles going in, lads wanting to do well and wanting to win, and that’s what it is all about. When you have these games you want them to be like that and competitive.”