Peter pleased with dominant display at Darlo

Goals from Sean Longstaff and Ivan Toney put United 2-0 up inside ten minutes at The Northern Echo Arena as Beardsley’s youngsters made a fine start.

Toney could have made it three midway through the first half, but saw his penalty saved by Darlo goalkeeper Peter Jameson before a trialist pulled a goal back for the hosts.

But Newcastle held firm, and the Magpies legend was happy to see his side begin 2017/18 in encouraging fashion.

“We started brilliantly, scored two goals and could have had a third. We created some chances, and played some lovely football,” Beardsley told nufc.co.uk.

“The result is almost irrelevant really – it’s all about fitness at this stage. But we’d rather win than lose – that’s common sense – so it’ll bring a bit of confidence.

“I thought the first half team were really good, and could have been more ahead. It’s not easy, as I said to them at half time, when you change the whole team, which was obviously the plan we had. But a win’s a win, and the most important thing is that everyone got 45 minutes.

“To be fair, Darlington are amazing to us, but the pitch isn’t perfect –it’s a rugby pitch, so it’s not a football pitch as such. But they looked after us last year, they’ve looked after us this year, so it’s always nice to come.”

Longstaff’s well-taken opener came just a few minutes before Toney’s fine turn gave him the chance to double the advantage.

“Callum Smith gave a great pass for the first goal, and then Ivan did a great bit of skill for the second,” said Beardsley. “Ivan looked really sharp, and I can understand, watching that, why people keep taking him on loan.

“He’s got great ability, he’s a great kid with great attitude and loves training, and it shows in the way he plays.”

Beardsley – who fielded 22 players against Martin Gray’s men, fielding a different 11 in each half – handed debuts to summer arrivals Stefan O’Connor and Josef Yarney.

“I thought Stefan was really good in the first half, and that was probably when we were at our best,” he said.

“And to be fair to Josef, he was very solid, very powerful and probably what we thought he would be.”

The Magpies’ second string squad is likely to get even bigger next week as wingers Callum Roberts and Victor Fernandez return from Ireland, where they’re currently training with the first team.

And Beardsley feels the experience of stepping up to Rafa Benitez’s squad is an experience that will prove invaluable for his youngsters.

 “We had 20 outfield players that played tonight, and two keepers. We’ve got another eight to come, and then Callum Roberts and Victor who are with the first team in Ireland,” he explained.

“It’s brilliant for them. Rafa’s done this before (taken players from the Under-23s), and continues to do it, and it’s great for them to have a week with them. It’ll be good for them to get to know a few of them.

“Callum went out to Kilmarnock (on loan last season) probably at the wrong time for him, as he might have got a chance in the first team earlier, but he’s away with them now, and hopefully it’ll go well.

“It’ll be great for him and Victor to be around that group. It’ll be a brilliant experience for them.”