Under-18s sunk at Newcastle

Our youngsters bowed out of the Under-18 Premier League Cup after suffering defeat at Newcastle United in our third and final group stage match on Saturday.

We’d won one and lost one in Group E heading up to the north-east, but three goals in six first-half minutes saw the Magpies take the upper hand amid extremely wet conditions that, at one stage, cast doubt over whether the game could go on. Max Robson and J'Neil Bennett scored as we fought back to 3-2, but two more goals from Newcastle in the closing stages made for an unflattering 5-2 final scoreline.

With the initially-designated pitch waterlogged, the game was switched to another area of Newcastle’s Academy facility but the damp conditions were still a factor as we found it tough to hit our usual rhythm. We did manage to start strongly and sent a number of balls into the Magpies’ area, but it was the hosts who took the lead after 16 minutes when Joe White scored a free-kick.

We had a big appeal for a penalty waved away after Romaine Mundle went to ground in the box but Newcastle hit us quickly with a second as Kain Reed capitalised on a slip on the surface to fire home on 18 minutes. Reed scored again four minutes later after a header came back off the crossbar.

Our lads dug in and responded on 32 minutes when Tarrelle Whittaker’s central free-kick hit the wall and allowed Dermi Lusala to cross for Robson to head home. Eight minutes later it was game on again as Whittaker played in Bennett to come into the box and finish well on his left foot. However, the Magpies held onto their advantage and made the match safe when Joshua Scott and Josh Harrison scored similar goals on 70 and 84 minutes following crosses from Newcastle’s right.

It means we’ve finished third in our group, with Newcastle and Stoke City going through.

Coach’s view

Under-18s Coach Matt Taylor said: “Today was a tough morning for the boys. The conditions were difficult, it was wet, windy and raining and we had to change pitches – we were close to the game being abandoned – but we ultimately didn’t deal with the conditions as well as the opposition. The result in itself probably flattered the opposition slightly but now we get back up and we prepare ourselves for the next important cup competitions that we’re in when we play Olympiacos on Tuesday and Liverpool very soon in the FA Youth Cup.”