United Teenagers Triumph In France

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

A young Newcastle United side won the Tournoi International de Football U17 in Saint-Andre-Lez-Lille over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Kevin Richardson and Liam Bramley's young Magpies beat FC Bruges on penalties following a 2-2 in the final on Monday.

They progressed from Group C on Saturday with 0-0 draws against FC Copenhagen and Dynamo Moscow before a Callum Smith goal was enough to see United beat Porto 1-0 in the quarter-final.

Jamie Holmes scored twice and Lewis McNall once as RC Lens were beaten in the semi-finals.

In the final, Newcastle trailed twice but fought back on both occasions, first through Holmes and then, in stoppage time, through Oliver Long.

Holmes won the overall player of the tournament award while Nathan Harker was chosen as the best goalkeeper.

Coach Bramley told nufc.co.uk: "We went there with expectations of qualifying from the group but in tournament football, anything can happen.

"The way the lads acquitted themselves was fantastic. They represented the Club really well on and off the pitch and to win the trophy was a brilliant experience for them.

"Hopefully it will stand them in good stead for the future."

The victorious squad was: Nathan Harker, Kelland Watts, Ben Kitchen, Shane Donaghey, Ben Pollock, Owen Bailey, Jamie Holmes, Dan Lowther, Lewis McNall, Mackenzie Heaney, Callum Smith, Cameron Armstrong, Oliver Long, Yannick Aziakonou, Jai Grant, Kieran Olsen and Kurtis Russell.

To cap a memorable weekend for the Little Benton Academy, the Club's under-15s won a separate competition in France, the Neuville Tournament, beating Swiss side Servette 1-0 in the final.