Cagey contest ends in narrow defeat for Under-21s against Newcastle

Our Under-21s fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United in the Premier League 2 on Sunday afternoon.

Falling behind to Ben Parkinson’s finish on 15 minutes, we lacked a fluency and clinical edge in the final third throughout the contest as Jaden Williams and Leo Black missed good opportunities to level late in the first half.

In truth, we never really got going and found it challenging to fashion clearcut opportunities despite dominating the ball for the vast majority as a tight and cagey contest ended in defeat in our first home outing of the new season at the Lamex Stadium.

Back in league action following our 3-3 draw and subsequent shootout win over League One opponents Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, Under-21s Coach Wayne Burnett made four changes from midweek as our young side returned to the Lamex Stadium for the first time in 2024/25.

After a tense start to proceedings with both sides content on keeping possession without threatening much, it took until the 12th minute for Damola Ajayi to register the first shot of the game who pulled his shot on the half-turn just wide from 18 yards.

However, just three minutes later, the away side took an unexpected lead with their first chance when Jamie Miley caught George Abbott in possession in midfield before rolling the ball through to Parkinson who placed a low finish past Josh Keeley.

Once Leo Black tested Newcastle goalkeeper Aidan Harris for the first time in the 24th minute, Callum Olusesi thought he had equalised just shy of the half-hour mark when he fired home following some intricate link-up play with Jaden Williams on the edge of the area but the linesman had his flag up for offside.

We continued to pile the pressure on in search of a leveller late on in the first half but were let down by a lack of decisiveness in the final third as Williams saw his angled shot well blocked by a recovering Ciaran Thompson and an unmarked Black failed to connect properly with his finish inside the box with just the keeper to beat.

Burnett made two changes at the break as Jahziah Linton and Yusuf Akhamrich entered the fray. Only six minutes later, Linton came agonisingly close to getting us back on level terms after finding himself furthest forward and was picked out by captain Abbott inside the area but couldn't sort his feet in time to get his shot off as Harris gratefully smothered the loose ball.

Despite us dominating possession up against a stubborn opponent who sat deeper to protect their lead, the Magpies still posed a threat on the counter and twice missed good breakaway opportunities to double their lead midway through the second half but both Parkinson and Trevan Sanusi fired wide in one-versus-one situations.

That kept us firmly in the contest heading into the final stages but, to give the away side credit, they defended their box resolutely to limit us to half chances, with substitute Oliver Irow heading just wide before the forward almost connected with Rio Kyerematen's through ball late on but it ultimately wasn't to be as we look to bounce back with an away trip to Southampton up next on Friday 30 August.

'We have to find a way and be better'

Reflecting on the performance, Under-21s Coach Burnett said: "I don't think we played with enough tempo and intensity. We had lots of the ball for long periods of time but didn't really threaten the opposition. They made it difficult at times, sitting in, defending reasonably deep but we have to find a way and be better. We had enough of the ball, we had enough final third entries and couldn't find a way - that was the disappointing thing today."

Match data

Goals: Newcastle – Parkinson 15.

Yellow cards: Spurs – King 36, Abbott 87; Newcastle – Munda 59, Parkinson 88.

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis

Venue: Lamex Stadium, Stevenage.

Weather: Sunny, light winds, 19 degrees.