Both sides couldn’t find the net after 90 minutes before Blyth’s Andrew Leeson put his team into the lead from close range on 5 minutes into extra-time.

United young professionals responded quickly and it was Kazenga LuaLua who produced a stunning 25-yard scorcher to level the scores within seconds. The game ended 1-1 and goes into penalties.

Garry Brown missed Blyth’s first penalty when his drive cannoned off the bar, but Toon substitute Frank Danquah spot-kick was able to saved by the Spartans goalkeeper Adam Bartlet.

But, in a much of similar great reaction from our stopper Fraser Forster, give the advance for United youngster after saving the kick from Blyth’s goalscorer Leeson.

And it was Mark Doninger, with a confident finish past former Magpie youngster Adam Bartlett, finally win it for the Geordies and voted as man-of-the-match.

NEWCASTLE RESERVES:
Forster; Morris, Donniger, Tozer, Lough; Godsmark, Toisi (Marwood 62), LuaLua; Donaldson, Ngo Baheng (Danquah 55). Subs (not used): Soderberg, Ferguson.

BLYTH SPARTANS:
Bartlet; Christensen, Leeson, Williams, Boyle (Snowdon 45); Webster, Brown, McCabe, Houlahan (Johnson 71); Dale (Dalton 90), Birks. Subs (not used): Hedley, Fenton.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Ashington)
Attendance: 2,021

Ahead of tonight’s game, Newcastle Hungarian starlet Tamas Kadar will looking for the first clash against his fellow countrymen who plays for the Merseysider.

Kadar who’s signed for United from Hungarian club Zalaegerszegi TE during last month’s transfer window, will meet the Reds goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi (17 years old) and striker Krisztan Nemeth (19) in their starting line-up. His other fellow countryman Andras Simon (18) settles for a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, United’s future left back Ben Tozer was having his first taste of premierships game baptism when he play against more experienced City player, Belgian international Emile Mpenza in last week reserves match against Manchester City.

Tozer said, “It was brilliant to make my debut last week versus Citeh Reserves. To walk out at St James’s Park is fantastic. It was in front of some empty seats, so it would be amazing to do it in front of a full house.”

“Man City was a tough game, but it was worthwhile after playing against some experienced players who are worth a lot of money. Games like that are difficult and it took me a while get into it, but in the end it was a good defensive display from all of us.”

The 17-year-old admits the chance to playing against and training with big names is one of his reason why he was decided to put pen on paper for Newcastle. Plymouth-born player is also reported has been quickly getting used to at his new environment.

“It’s weird being around people you are used to seeing on TV or on the computer. You see them on TV one minute, and the next you are standing next to them in training!” Ben added more, “But you soon realise that they are just one of us.”

“At first you are thinking about them, but soon you think he might be wondering about me! It’s a good experience and I’m settling in well.”

Ben Tozer and Tamas Kadar played in the full 90 minutes at the club’s Little Benton Academy. Kadar teed-up James Marwood for the hosts’ best opening chance before the break, while Michael McCrudden point blank header saved by Matt Atkinson before Dan Leadbitter almost caught out the Boro stopper with a high cross in the closing stages.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Woodgate will not returning to the Magpies squad despite some widespread reports on Saturday that he was set to sign his second spell for United.

“At this moment I don’t think he is going to come to Newcastle, in fact I am almost certain he isn’t. I think he is going to go somewhere else.” Keegan said, quoted from the official club site, “It looks like we have lost him. I am very disappointed. I fully understand though. But I desperately want him to come.”

News from the African Cup of Nations, Martins and Nigeria will need a win on their last group game against Benin to keep their hope alive to the next stage after being held to a goalless draw by Mali at Sekondi stadium yesterday. They will also need the help from Ivory Coast to overcoming Mali.

The other Newcastle’s player, Geremi Njitap has a goal under his name on Cameroon’s 5-1 wins over Zambia. Geremi’s scores in 27 minutes courtesy of his well-struck free kick. Joseph Desire Job scores twice while Achilles Emana and Samuel Eto’o scores the other Cameroon’s goals.

In the season he left the job to take over as Caretaker Manager we reached the FA Youth Cup semi final, and did so again last season. Success in this competition is generally regarded as good yardstick with which to judge the success of Academies.

However, I would imagine that the bulk of the young players representing us v Shrewsbury last night would be players actually brought into the system by GR – which would not be very encouraging.

What has our Academy under GR actually produced in the way of senior players? Not a helluva lot is the unfortunate answer. Of the 28 players currently assigned first team squad numbers, nine came through the youth development system.

Harper and Shola graduated a long time back, leaving 7 (I’ve ignored N’Zogbia who was bought in and never played for the Youth Team): Ramage, Taylor, Edgar, Forster, Pattison, Troisi and Carroll (Paul Huntington, of course, was released in the summer and went to Leeds).

That is perhaps not too bad, but the following batch looks a lot weaker, for whatever reason.

Sadly, there has been a lot of chopping and changing at the Academy, including the hiatus under Beardsley and Wharton that lead to several young players leaving the club, including Tery McDermott’s son.

Since GR left the Director’s job we seem to have had a procession of Directors, and I still find it difficult to conclude that we give this job the priority it really deserves.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Newcastle United under-18s postponed match due to the FA Youth clash, will play their Tyne-Wear derby fixture at Sunderland on Thursday, December 20 at 11am.

Newcastle Under 16s played their first game for 3 weeks against top of the table Prudhoe looking to extend their unbeaten run to 4 games.

Prudhoe started the game very brightly and threatened the Newcastle goal on numerous occasions in the opening 10 minutes. Newcastle got the breakthrough after 12 minutes when Jessie Coates scored from 20 yards out after a poor clearance by Prudhoe’s keeper Rebecca Foster.

Newcastle’s keeper Jade Redhead had to be alert to make a fine save from a long range effort on the stroke of half time to give the black and whites a slender 1-0 lead at the break.

Within 5 minutes of the restart Prudhoe were level after being awarded a penalty which was converted by Jade Metcalf. Newcastle regained the lead with 55 minutes on the clock when a Toni Laurie corner took a wicked deflection to give Foster no chance in the Prudhoe goal. Newcastle made the game safe with 20 minutes remaining when Coates fired a screamer from 25 yards to give the Magpies a 3-1 win.

MVP April Hoult gave a solid defensive display at the heart of the Newcastle defence, making some excellent last ditch tackles and winning lots of important headers.

Below are the profile of NUWFC U16 player April Hoult

Position

Defence