Sheffield United Under-18s 3

Feb 11 2008 The Journal

Newcastle United Under-18s 0

THE Magpies’ new Swedish goalkeeper Ole Soderberg was beaten three times on his debut as Newcastle’s youngsters crashed to their first Academy defeat of the year.

Soderberg could not be blamed for any of the Blades goals and made one excellent second-half save to deny Blades striker Scott Boden. Newcastle, with England Youth centre-forward Ryan Donaldson back from injury, should have taken the lead.

Donaldson set up Dan Leadbitter but his eight-yard shot hit the crossbar.

Sheffield took a 31st-minute lead, though the goal was shrouded in controversy.

Magpies striker Dan Neary, helping in defence from a corner, went down with a head injury after challenging Grant Roberts. But Roberts carried on and crossed for Maxime Chanot to fire home.

Both sides had chances but late on Ayman Thar beat Soderberg with a 20-yard drive and then Thar supplied Boden who whipped in a 12-yard shot for the third.

NEWCASTLE UNITED UNDER-18s: Soderberg; Patterson, Lough, Taylor, Grieve, Wrightson, Marwood, Leadbitter, Donaldson, Neary (Bath 54), McCrudden. Subs (not used): Inman, Ameobi, Cook.