After a draw and a loss from the first two games of the season, United went into a match with the men from Eastlands stuck at the wrong end of the table. A 1-1 draw at home to Crewe was followed up by a disappointing 2-1 reverse at Stoke City. Although not considered a ‘must win’ match at such an early stage of the season, United certainly needed at least a point here to get a boost up the table and their season up and running properly.

With a tough 2-2 draw for the reserves barely 36 hours earlier using a lot of academy players, Joe Joyce reluctantly had to field a largely inexperienced team, with several new names taking the field. Taylor, Patterson, Bath, Wrightson, Bell, and Ferguson all took to the field, aiming to impress.

The Manchester City team, all regulars at this level, unfortunately out muscled, out paced and out played a United team who were flattered by the end scoreline.

Vladdy Weiss, a constant threat to Mark Cook’s goal all day with his pace and trickery, and it was his low centre that Cook could only parry that led to the first goal, Robbie Mak poking in the rebound, beating the Toon backline to the loose ball.

We equalised five minutes later with a corker of a goal. Marwood superbly spotted new boy Campbell Bell’s run at the edge of the box. Bell controlled superbly and smashed the ball in off the post to bring United, undeservedly, level.

City piled on the pressure before the interval, but the Black and White defence stood firm.

Robbie Mak grabbed his second goal of the game virtually from kick off. The ever dangerous Weiss flicked the ball through to Mak, who stunningly curled the ball inside the far left hand post, leaving Cook helpless to do anything.

Our goal was under constant pressure as the men from the North West piled forward seeking to extend their advantage that their dominance deserved. Cook twice saved well from Mak, denying him his hat-trick. He could do nothing about the City third goal though, Weiss ghosting past our defenders to stick the ball in from virtually on the goal line.

A consolation goal came for Newcastle in stoppage time, Campbell Bell bagging the second of his brace, tapping in from close range. It was little consolation in a game where the Toon were totally dominated.

A young academy side were taught a harsh lesson here from a much more experienced team, but hopefully lessons will be learned. Expect a much stronger Newcastle side to play this weekend, with the reserves currently having a well earned rest.

Man of the match: Mark Cook – It could have been embarrassing if it wasn’t for his saves.

NEWCASTLE U-18s: Cook, Taylor, Patterson, Bath (sub Doninger), C Morris, Henderson, Marwood, Wrightson (sub Danquah), Francis, Bell, Ferguson (sub Godsmark). Subs not used: Bertram, Gillespie.