The U-21 squad played their first game of the season this morning against Spurs U-21 squad in what was an all offense affair with Newcastle winning 6-4. New "It" youth player Adam Campbell had a first half hat trick as Newcastle went in at the half 5-1. Also scoring for Newcastle were Curtis Good, Haris Vuckic, and Bradden Inman. Alan Pardew was on hand to take the game in and I have to say I am surprised by some of the players that played this morning as they will not be able to play in the EPL game in the evening. Squad: Jak Alnwick, James Tavernier, Curtis Good, Lubo Satka, Yven Moyo, Marcus Maddison, Gael Bigirimana, Mehdi Abeid, Michael Richardson, Haris Vuckic, Adam Campbell Bench: Jonathan Mitchell, JJ Hooper, Conor Newton, Bradden Inman, Alex Nicholson http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Match/Report/ReservesReport/0,,10278~2890331,00.html The U-18 squad was not as fortunate this morning in their match with Spurs U-18 squad and got slammed 4-0. No squad info or scorers information was available at this time.
Think I mentioned Campbell over a year ago as someone who was being touted for big things, there's a piece in the Chronicle today about how he could start the Europa game this week. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the first team, apparently has loads of pace and scores for fun. Also seems like he and Vuckic have a good understanding from the reserves.
Last weekend's U-21 game against Southampton was postponed, so a makeshift game against Gatehead's reserve squad was played on Tuesday. Newcastle won 1-0 off a goal by Marcus Madison. The only negative was a reserve squad beat Gateshead's first team in preseason 4-1 so only getting a 1-0 result against their reserves is a little disappointing. Team: Alnwick, Nicholson, Riley, Newton, Good, Dummett (Satka 46), Maddison (Knight 46, [Logan 71]), Abeid (Dummett 83), Hooper, Richardson, Inman. The U-18 squad did get to play its game against Southampton and lost 2-1. Newcastle's lone goal came from Adam Armstrong. Team: Mitchell, Morgan, McKinnon, Desmond, Drennan, Olley, Logan, Armstrong, Quinn, Cardona Lopez (Barlaser 60), Gilliead. Subs n/u: tbc (from Grant, Storey, Cobain, Cameron). The U-18s played a practice match against Monkseaton Academy on Tuesday. Newcastle won 7-0 in a lopsided affair. There was no published line up, but the scorers are as follows: Alex Gilliead (2), Dan Barlaser, Esteban Cardona Lopez, Callum Roberts, Jonathyn Quinn, and Adam Armstrong.
The U-18 squad was in action on Saturday. They played Stoke at home hoping to get their first league win of the season. They had to wait till the 89th minute to score on a strike to inside the far post from halftime sub Daniel Barlaser, but that was enough as they held onto the shutout to win 1-0 Line Up: Mitchell, Sterry (Drennan), Desmond, Quinn, McKinnon, Cameron, Olley, Logan, Gilliead, Armstrong, Aarons (Barlaser) Subs n/u: Cardona Lopez, Grant, Morgan The U-21 squad was away to Stoke today but continued their goal scoring ways with a 5-1 victory. Brad Inman netted a hat trick while Marcus Madison and JJ Hooper both netted a goal each. Adam Campbell was kept relatively quiet in the game and even missed a penalty attempt. One thing I found interesting was that neither Abeid, Amalfitano, nor Vuckic played or were named to the squad. I know Vuckic played on Thursday and Amalfitano came on as a late sub, but Abeid has not suited up for a squad as a starter or bench player since the first U-21 game of the season back on August 18th. I don't remember reading anything about him being injured so I wonder what is going on with him? Squad: Alnwick, Nicholson, Good, Satka, Tavernier, Newton, Richardson, Inman, Maddison (Knight), Campbell, Hooper Subs n/u: Mitchell, Riley, Logan, Gilliead