Newcastle youngsters shine in win as Plymouth and Portugal starlets handed trial

A strong Newcastle United XI got the club's pre-season under way with a 3-0 at National League North club Bradford Park Avenue.
Callum RobertsCallum Roberts
Callum Roberts

Goals from Ivan Toney, Sean Longstaff and trialist Tyler Harvey gave the Magpies a win in a game scheduled to commemorate World War One hero Donald Bell VC.

The likes of Gael Bigirimana, Haris Vuckic and Lubomir Satka started the game for Peter Beardsley’s side but it was winger Callum Roberts that caught the eye.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So it was unsurprising that Roberts played a part in the opener on 13 minutes.

He broke into the left hand side of the Avenue area and rolled the ball back to Ivan Toney.

He didn’t get a clean strike on the ball but it was enough to take it past Ryan Jones in the home goal.

More chances followed as Vuckic was twice denied by Jones and Roberts smashed over from inside the area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The only real chance for the hosts came when Northern Ireland international Jonny Gorman capitalised on a defensive error and looked set to test Magpies keeper Ben Smith.

However an impressive last-ditch block from new boy Stuart Findley denied the winger a goal and ensured that United went into the break a goal to the good.

Eleven changes were made by Beardsley with a number of trialists getting their chance.

They included former Plymouth Argyle youngster Tyler Harvey and Portuguese striker Flávio Da Silva.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A much younger United side maintained the dominance of the first half and the lead was doubled early in the second half.

It was Sean Longstaff that got the second as he broke through on goal and stroked the ball past Avenue substitute keeper Grahame McKibbin.

More chances came and went as Stefan Broccoli and Tyler Harvey tested McKibbin without stretching the Magpies lead.

However a third did come with eight minutes left and it was Harvey that got it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Da Silva broke down the left and cut inside to fellow trialist Harvey. He was given time to take a touch and curl the ball just inside the far post.

That goal set the seal on an impressive start to pre-season for the Magpies with several youngsters catching the eye.

Next up for Peter Beardsley’s side will be against Darlington at the Northern Echo Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Newcastle: Smith, Satka, Gibson, Bigirimana, Gilhespy, Findlay, Gilliead, Smith, Toney, Vuckic, Roberts Subs: Harker, Ede, Williams, Cameron, Hunter, Barlaser, Broccoli, Longstaff, Holmes, Harvey, Da Silva

Att: 675