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Peter Credits Colliers After Ashington Loss
Written by Newcastle Utd
Peter Beardsley says his Magpies Under-23 side never really looked like taking their chances at Ashington
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Football development manager Peter Beardsley says his Newcastle United Under-23 side never really looked like taking the chances they carved out during their 1-0 defeat at Ashington on Monday night.
United's second string turned in a commanding display against Steve Harmison's men, but couldn't quite apply the finishing touch.
In the end, it took a late goal from Ben Harmison to separate the sides at Woodhorn Lane, inflicting the Magpies' first defeat of pre-season in the process.
And Beardsley praised the Northern League side for their endeavour, and admitted that his young team "snatched" at a few of their opportunities in front of goal.
"It probably shows that that was the younger part of our group, so there was a lack of experience," he told nufc.co.uk. "But credit to Ashington, they kept going and kept going and in the end, because they took their chance, they maybe deserved to win.
"We had good chances, but we never really looked like taking them. We needed a bit more composure in front of goal and we rushed things and snatched at things, but that's what pre-season's for.
"In that sense, we're disappointed, and we did create some chances but they kept going and going and going, so fair play to them."
Newcastle's team included the likes of Sean Longstaff, Luke Charman and the returning Tom Heardman, who had been out for over a year through injury.
Despite losing their unbeaten pre-season record against the Colliers, Magpies legend Beardsley believes it's been a positive period of preparation for his side, with the big Premier League 2 kick-off at Norwich City just a fortnight away.
And he says his youngsters are ready to go, as excitement ahead of the new campaign and the first-day trip to Norfolk continues to build.
"It's more experience and more minutes for them, but also it shows you that this year we have a group of 23 or 24 at the moment," he said. "It might be that a lot of them will go on loan, but come the first game in two weeks we might have a group of 20 or 21 to choose from, so we have to be ready. In that sense, they have to motivate themselves and get themselves ready.
"It's a funny game, because about three days ago we were flying, and then we've had two hiccups. York was a big test, as we know, and then we've lost tonight. You want to try and win every game and give your confidence a boost, but it might just be the jolt they need - it might make them realise they've got to step up again.
"We've had a good pre-season, no doubt about it. Physically, Simon (Tweddle, fitness coach)'s got them in great shape and in that sense, we're ready to go.
"Pre-season is important - absolutely, it's important - but the most important thing is always the first game."