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Beardsley - "We Deserved To Win"
Written by Newcastle Utd
Peter Beardsley feels his United Under-21 side's performance in the 1-1 draw at Brighton warranted all three points
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Football development manager Peter Beardsley feels his Newcastle United Under-21 side's performance in the 1-1 draw at Brighton on Wednesday night warranted all three points.
Callum Roberts' second half strike levelled the scores at Crawley Town's Checkatrade.com Stadium, after Will Collar had given the Seagulls the lead after quarter of an hour.
A young United team had to weather the storm at times as Brighton looked to put the game beyond doubt, but Beardsley's side dug in to get themselves back in the game.
And the Magpies legend believes his youngsters did enough to win the game against Simon Rusk's strugglers, who remain bottom of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Division Two.
"We deserved to win. I know they had a couple of chances and we made a couple of good saves, but overall I think there was only one team looking to win, so in that sense it was great point for us," said Beardsley.
"In terms of the way we played, bearing in mind that, in the second half once Ivan (Toney) came off, there was only Callum Roberts who wasn't an under-18 so it was brilliant for them. We played some good football and tried to do the right things, which is what we encourage them to do.
"I would say, in the main, that group of players had never played together. Sean Longstaff's been with us most of the season, Callum Smith has too, but Luke Charman had never played for us competitively before, so it was a bit mix and match.
"There were a lot of positives, and that's what this job's about. Tonight was a positive, and we played really well."
Roberts' seventh league goal of the season capped a fine showing from the 18-year-old, who was a constant threat down the flanks.
And Beardsley expressed his satisfaction at the teenager's performance and his 60th-minute equaliser, which heralded a spell of dominance from the visitors.
"It was back to what we expect, without putting pressure on him. He played well all night and scored a great goal," he said.
"It was good passing and movement, and when he cut back you're probably thinking on the bench that he should've shot early. We've been talking to him recently about having a bit more composure rather than blasting the ball when he doesn't need to and, to be fair, he took it really well."