Newcastle United’s journey in this season’s FA Youth Cup has ended with a 5-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling Quarter Final tie at St James’ Park.
The Magpies exit the competition bemoaning a slow start against a Spurs outfit who look as though they may just push hot favourites Chelsea all the way in the last four.
John McDermott’s side got off to a rapid start on Tyneside with the lively Keanan Bennetts opening the scoring after just two minutes with a 20 yard thunderbolt and it was soon 2-0 to the North Londoners when Reo Griffiths capitalised on both some sloppy goalkeeping and defending to score.
Tottenham Hotspur were cruising until they lost influential winger Bennetts to injury just after the half hour and the home side started to warm to the task with Lewis McNall going close while a Matty Longstaff cross caused panic in the Spurs defence as The Magpies fired a reminder that they were still in the match with 45 minutes left to play.
The second half was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride with Newcastle United’s McNall reducing the arrears just four minutes into the half from the penalty spot. Dave Watson’s side looked to be the most likely side to score the next goal in the match until Spurs substitute Kazaiah Sterling grabbed a third for the visitors with a low shot across goal.
The goal looked to have ended United’s threat but with six minutes remaining, the match sprung into life again when Spurs keeper Brandon Austin saved superbly from a McNall strike. The young striker’s contribution was not finished there and a minute later McNall rifled in a loose ball after the visitors failed to deal with a corner kick to make it 3-2 to Spurs.
Newcastle United could smell blood but a goalmouth scramble at the other end saw Spurs make it 4-2 with a little over three minutes remaining when Japhet Tanganga scrambled the ball into the net.
A minute later, it was 4-3 as Owen Gallagher headed in from close range for The Magpies before Austin produced a stunning save to prevent McNall from netting an equaliser. Newcastle United’s fightback was finally ended in the first minute of stoppage time when Dylan Duncan bagged Spurs’ fifth and final goal of the match.
The 5-3 scoreline ended Newcastle United’s dreams but Watson’s men should be proud of their achievements in this season’s competition.
