Watson: "We Should Have Won"

By Dominic Scurr

Under-18s coach Dave Watson was in a positive mood despite his Newcastle United youngsters falling to a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City.

Watson felt the Magpies dominated the game but a failure to create too many clear-cut chances ultimately proved costly.

And after naming a side featuring several players who have been plying their trade at under-21 level, Watson was encouraged by United's display, telling nufc.co.uk: "It was a really good performance.

"We had experience in the side and it showed. At this stage of the season, the reserve teams have finished so both sides were strong and it was a very good game which we should have won.

"We played well and dominated large parts of the game. Swansea put us under pressure at the start and scored early on but once we got our goal we started to play some really good football.

"They went back ahead shortly after half-time which was disappointing but after that we battered them and should have easily beaten them.

"Performance-wise it was a really positive and strong team effort. (Swansea) scored two good goals where they exploited our high line.

"But there was a lot of good stuff to take from the game - bar a couple of lapses of concentration, we're in a good place performance-wise to end the season positively against Southampton."

The under-18s' final match of the season takes place on Saturday against Southampton at the Club's Little Benton Academy (11am kick-off).