Newcastle United U18s 2, Middlesbrough U18s 1

Nov 16 2009 The Journal

NEWCASTLE Juniors stretched their unbeaten run to eight games in the FA Premier Academy League with birthday boy Phil Airey and Brad Inman the scorers and providers for each goal.

It took Middlesbrough time to get into the game but the visitors had most of the possession in the final hour without making it count.

Airey put in an impressive shift up front, while the United defence held firm with Ben Robinson only troubled late in the game. The Magpies should have been ahead after six minutes when Airey dispossessed Kieran Edwards but the striker screwed his shot wide with only Adam Smith to beat.

Smith then blocked another Airey effort seven minutes later only for Inman to sidefoot home the loose ball for his fifth of the season. James Gray sliced a Cameron Park cross wide at the other end, then Ryan Brobbel curled a 25-yard free kick just over the bar as Boro rallied. Sam Adjei cut inside to fire narrowly wide after the break while Edwards was only just off target from 22 yards for the visitors who were unfortunate to then concede a second.

Again Airey and Inman did the damage, Airey glancing the Australian’s right side cross into the bottom corner to give United a two goal cushion.

Boro sub Jack Fowler finally forced a save from Robinson, full length to his left, and during seven minutes of injury time Luke Williams claimed a deserved consolation goal.

NEWCASTLE UNITED UNDER-18s: Robinson, Nzuzi, Dummett, Inman, Henderson, Taylor, Adjei, Mogwa, Airey, Newton (Spear 82), McGorrigan (Williams (72). Subs (not used): Alnwick (gk), Folan.

MIDDLESBROUGH UNDER-18s: Smith; Shead, Eldon, Pilatos, Bassi, Edwards, Williams, Brobbel (Corker 45), Hawkins (Fowler 62). Subs (not used): Otte.

Referee: Chris Backhouse (Carlisle).