Newcastle United U18s 3 Sunderland U18s 0: Defeat for young Cats despite spirited display

The visitors kicked off and showed their intent from the start going close in the first minute.

Hosts Newcastle responded swiftly with Callum Smith going straight down the other end to hit one from the left, only for keeper Woud to tip round the post.

The start of the game set the precedent for the rest of the match. Jack Diamond beats the off-side trap, gets to the by-line to pull the ball across the box but home keeper Harker easily collected.

It was end to end stuff from then on with the Magpies appealing for a penalty in the 14th minute, Dan Lowther driving a low shot in but was blocked by defender Chris Allen, the ball bounced up towards Allen's arm but Newcastle's appeal was waved away by the referee.

Newcastle broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Goodridge hit a left footed strike from the edge of the box to beet keeper Woud.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser and in the 25th minute ware awarded a penalty following defender Spooner needlessly charged Oscar Krusnell off the ball.

Lee Connelly stepped up to take the kick, putting it low to the keepers right, but Harker guessed correctly to tip the ball round the post.

The young Black Cats continued to press, but were unable to beat Harker.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Owen Gallacher seemed to get a knock, with Owen Gamble sportingly putting the ball out of play allowing the trainer on.

Gallacher was unable to restart the second half and was replaced by Robson. This was a very good choice of substitute as in the 49th minute Robson collects the ball on the right beating 2 Sunderland defenders to crash home.

From the on it was all Sunderland possession, passing the ball well, pushing forward but a resilient home defence held firm.

United made it three, totally against the run of play in the 68th, when Sunderland were unable to clear the ball in their area an were cruelly punished by a Callum Smith drive.

The visitors had several more chances with Jacob Young having his attempted cleared off the line, Jack Diamonds header going just wide, Alex Stoey having his strike tipped onto the bar.

Sunderland coach Mark Atkinson said post match "It was a tremendous performance, we has the majority of the possession, plenty of opportunities, but we weren't ruthless enough.

"We had a penalty saved, hit the bar and post several times.

"Their keeper played very well.

"When you're chasing the game you leave yourselves open and we were caught with a sucker punch for the third.

"I was pleased with the effort we put in but I thing we might have to work on our finishing before Wolves next week."

Newcastle: Harker, Spooner, Kitchen, Goodridge (Sangare 66), Aziakonou, Gamblin, Gallacher (Robson 45), Lowther, Watts, Heaney (C), Smith.

Not Used: Huuhtanen, Sorenson.

Sunderland: Woud, Gamble, McAughtrie (Storey 75), Allan, Taylor (c), Young, Best (Kimpioka 63), Hackett, Connelly, Diamond, Krushnell.

Not Used: Newman, Howard, Slack.