Young Magpies advance into FA Youth Cup fifth round

Newcastle's youngsters broke the deadlock in the opening stages of the cup tie, held at St. James' Park, through Ellis Sullivan's unfortunate own goal.

The young Magpies then extended their lead in the second-half courtesy of Callum McNally's impressive volley and Michael Ndiweni's close-range finish, both netted in front of the Leazes End.

Samson Tovide's rebound cut United's three-goal advantage before the U's set up a nervy finale as T'aizo Marcel-Delaver halved the deficit but, despite a frantic finish, Newcastle held firm to seal their place in round five.

Peter Ramage's side progressed into round four following a 3-2 away win at West Ham United and were bidding to book a fifth round spot at Blackpool ahead of facing the Essex-based outfit, who had knocked out Arsenal in the previous round.

In front of 1,279 spectators, including Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, the Toon teenagers almost got off to a dream start inside the opening two minutes as Ben Parkinson's intended cross from the right wing sailed over Colchester goalkeeper Endurance Johnson before flying wide of the far left-hand post. 

Kyle Crossley, who scored on his under-23s debut against Crystal Palace in April 2021, went close to netting an impressive solo effort as the 17-year-old raced towards goal from inside his own half before eventually sending his low effort wide of the target.

In the 12th minute, Newcastle's youngsters opened the scoring albeit in fortunate circumstances through Sullivan's own goal. After the Colchester defence failed to clear Jamie Miley's cross from the right flank, an intended clearance struck the Colchester right-back before landing in the net.

Newcastle goalkeeper Max Thompson, who kept a clean sheet on his England under-18s debut in October, made an impressive save to prevent the U's from claiming a swift equaliser, blocking Tovide's header with his feet before the ball was cleared to safety.

Colchester thought they had levelled the tie shortly after as Tovide guided his header from Freddie Price's cross into the left-hand corner but the goal was ruled out after the striker had strayed into an offside position.

The hosts, who reached the quarter-finals of the competition last year, aimed to double their advantage as Crossley got onto the end of Parkinson's accurate low cross but saw his close-range strike tuned around for a corner by Johnson.

In the dying seconds of the first-half, Colchester wasted a golden opportunity to equalise as Frankie Terry, nephew of former Chelsea captain John, latched onto a neat flick inside the penalty area but sliced his effort wide of the right-hand post.

Thompson was on hand to deny Price in the opening stages of the second-half as the left-back's vicious drive was crucially pushed away by the Newcastle-born shot-stopper, who signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club last month.

In the 52nd minute, Newcastle extended their lead further through McNally's splendid volley. After Miley's lofted free-kick was only cleared into the right-back's path, the teenager let fly with a fierce low volley, which flew into the bottom right-hand corner.

In the 63rd minute, Newcastle added a third as Ndiweni, who netted a brace in United's third round win over West Ham in December, continued his goalscoring form.

After Colchester attempted to play out from the back, the ball was intercepted by substitute Lewis Miley, brother of Jamie, who quickly picked out Ndiweni before the Throckley-born striker drilled his effort into the bottom left-hand corner.

In the 76th minute, Colchester opened their account in front of goal as Tovide netted from close-range. After Kaan Bennett's initial strike was saved by Thompson, the rebound fell kindly into the striker's path, who lashed the ball home through a group of United defenders.

Newcastle were forced into three substitutions throughout the cup clash due to injury and, with eleven minutes of stoppage time added on, Colchester halved the deficit through Marcel-Delaver.

As Tovide raced through on goal, the teenage forward rounded Thompson before passing the ball into the substitute's path, who bundled the ball into the net.

Despite the setback, Newcastle's youngsters held firm in the closing stages to ultimately seal their spot in the last 16, where they will face Blackpool away from home.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Max Thompson, Callum McNally (Dylan Charlton 81), Ciaran Thompson, Josh Stewart (Harry Powell 58), Beau Beresford, Jamie Miley (c), Ben Parkinson, James Huntley, Kyle Crossley, Jay Turner-Cooke (Lewis Miley 42), Michael Ndiweni.

Subs not used: Steven Bessent, Johnny Emerson, Josh Donaldson, Scott Bailey.