Newcastle United U18s 1, Huddersfield Town U18s 1

Dec 14 2009 The Journal

NEWCASTLE'S Under-18 side finished 2009 with a disappointing 1-1 FA Premier Academy League draw at home to Huddersfield Town.

United had beaten the Terriers 6-0 in Yorkshire earlier in the season, but five of the scorers that day were missing for the rematch.

The Magpies started brightly and were off to a flier when Ryan Page headed the ball back into the box after a James Tavernier cross had been half cleared.

Only two minutes were gone when Aaron Spear pounced to mark his return from suspension with the close-range opener.

Ryan McGorrigan led a weakened attack and the striker missed two chances to double the lead, shooting wide and then heading straight at Town goalkeeper Lloyd Allison.

Play had become scrappy and the Terriers levelled just before the break when a long Allison clearance saw James Spencer outmuscle Paul Dummett after Ben Robinson had raced off his line.

Matt Cook headed wide at the near post after the break, while Tavernier was just wide at the other end.

Coach Kenny Wharton made a triple substitution midway through the second half, but it was Huddersfield who almost nicked a late winner when Robinson tipped over from Powell.

Newcastle enter 2010 fourth in the 10-team Academy North group with five wins from their 15 games.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Robinson, Tavernier, Dummett, L. Henderson, Grieve, Taylor, Page(Folan 68), McDermott, McCorrigan (Williams 68), Adeji (McCrudden 68), Spear. Subs (not used): Johnson, Mogwo.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN: Allison, Bowel, Pearson, Burke, Dickenson, Watson, Powell, Crook, Spencer, Birtles (McCafferty 73)), Aiden. Subs (not used): McClean, Porter, Sinnot, Leonard.