NEWCASTLE United’s Academy side slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat as Crewe Alexandra Under-18s cruised to victory in Cheshire.
The Magpies have conceded 10 goals in the last two games, both away from Tyneside – hardly ideal preparation for the derby at home to Sunderland on Wednesday-week.
Crewe took the lead on the quarter-hour, but United were back on level terms within two minutes when Dan Taylor scored his 12th goal of the campaign.
Taylor swivelled to rifle a 16-yard shot into the bottom corner, but the Alex were back in front on the half-hour and two quick goals after the break put United out of it.
The first came from a corner and then Jak Alnwick was unable to come out on top in a one-on-one after the home side had broken quickly.
Michael Riley’s 25-yard strike into the top corner reduced the arrears, but Crewe were never in danger of allowing a two-goal lead to slip.
Taylor and substitute Michael Hogamsen both had chances to set up a nervy finish for the Alex but failed to take good chances as the Gresty Road outfit recorded a fourth win from five games.
NEWCASTLE UTD UNDER-18s: Alnwick, Nicholson, Riley, Storey (Miele 70), Streete, Nzuzi, Sayer, McCorrigan, Maddison (Ions 82), Knight (Hogansen 60), Taylor. Subs not used: Robinson (gk), Smith.
