Under-21s beaten by Carlisle United in pre-season friendly

Newcastle’s second-string fell behind against the newly-promoted League One outfit at the Gateshead International Stadium following Michael Ndiweni's unfortunate own goal in the opening stages of the friendly encounter.

United’s youngsters produced a spirited second-half display against their senior opponents, with James Huntley’s close-range header saved by Carlisle goalkeeper Tomas Holy, before the Cumbrians doubled their lead in the final stages through Ryan Edmondson’s sliding finish.

Ndiweni and Charlie Wiggett, who both made their Newcastle first-team debuts against Gateshead last weekend, were named in the starting XI along with Lucas De Bolle, who made his senior debut for the Magpies during a 2-1 pre-season friendly victory against Athletic Club in July 2022.

Newcastle goalkeeper Max Thompson, a representative of England at under-18 level, was forced into early action as the Ponteland-born shot-stopper held Edmondson’s low drive inside the box before later blocking Jon Mellish’s fierce drive with his leg inside the opening ten minutes.

The 18-year-old ‘keeper, who joined Newcastle’s Academy at the age of 11, made two important saves in succession minutes later, holding Callum Guy’s curling effort from the edge of the penalty area before denying Jordan Gibson’s tame effort from distance.

Magpies midfielder Nathan Carlyon, who signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club in the summer of 2021, created Newcastle’s brightest opening in front of goal as the 20-year-old dragged a low effort from the edge of the box wide of the target following a string of neat passes in the build-up.

In the 19th minute, Carlisle broke the deadlock as Jordan Gibson raced onto Owen Moxon’s pass before the former's teasing low pass across the face of goal took a deft flick off Ndiweni before trickling into the net.

Thompson prevented Gibson from doubling the Cumbrians’ advantage, pushing away the Birmingham-born winger’s low strike towards goal before the Carlisle forward struck the left-hand post shortly after with a ferocious drive.

Newcastle began the second-half in encouraging fashion as Dylan Charlton, introduced from the bench from the restart, raced onto Diallo’s pass before the teenage left-back’s drilled cross was turned out for a corner by Carlisle defender Paul Huntington, who began his career at Newcastle’s Academy before making 11 Premier League appearances for the Magpies.

Will Brown, another substitute at the break for Newcastle, produced two impressive saves before the hour mark, clawing away Gibson’s close-range effort before getting a strong right hand to Moxon’s stinging strike.

Newcastle recorded a further four substitutes and it was James Huntley who almost made an immediate impact as the Ashington-born midfielder latched onto Wiggett’s inviting cross but his resulting header was saved by Tomas Holy.

Anthony Munda, introduced in the latter stages of the clash, went close to netting on his debut at under-21 level but the central midfielder’s strike from an acute angle sailed wide of the target.

In the 89th minute, Newcastle were dealt a tough blow as Carlisle extended their advantage through Edmondson who slid home from Jack Armer’s cross to tuck the ball beyond Brown inside the six-yard area.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Max Thompson (Will Brown 46), Ciaran Thompson (Charlie McArthur 46), Trialist, Charlie Wiggett (Rory Powell 75), Jordan Hackett (Dylan Charlton 46), Nathan Carlyon, Scott Bailey (Kyle Crossley 62), Lucas De Bolle (Anthony Munda 84), Dylan Stephenson (James Huntley 62), Amadou Diallo (Johnny Emerson 62), Michael Ndiweni (Josh Donaldson 62).

Photograph courtesy of Carlisle United Football Club