It was FA Youth Cup action for Newcastle United on Monday night.
Brighton the visitors to Tyneside for this third round clash.
Despite the challenging less than warm conditions, Newcastle United’s young stars turned on the heat from the opening whistle, in a first half where they looked set to blow Brighton away.
The opening few minutes could have seen United go two up, as Trevan Sanusi went close before Sean Neave went even closer when only the crossbar prevented his header from opening the scoring.
Newcastle didn’t have to wait much longer though, as within ten minutes they did take the led.
Trevan Sanusi with a great run down the right and his cross was met by Joe Brayson to strike the opening goal.
United were dominant and created chance after chance in this opening half at Whitley Park.
Michael Mills cut through the visiting defence with blistering pace, only to be denied by a brilliant save from the Brighton keeper.
United then hit the bar again, before the impressive Michael Mills got his goal and Newcastle’s second.
Sean Neave played in Mills and the defenders had zero chance of catching the young striker, who made it 2-0 with a confident finish.
A two goal lead was the very minimum the Newcastle United under 18s deserved at the break but then just on the stroke of half-time, out of nowhere Brighton halved the deficit. NUFC keeper Aidan Harris gave away a penalty and was beaten from the spot.
That goal seemed to have a significant impact on the young Newcastle stars, as it was a very different second half, though obviously getting that late goal after United totally dominated the first half, meant Brighton’s young players had been given a massive lift.
The visitors were the dominant team after the break but credit to Newcastle United for standing firm, the goalkeeper and defence doing well to deal with Brighton as they pressed.
Newcastle relied on rare breaks and from one of those midway through the second half, Sean Neave came close to doubling the advantage. However, the keeper was equal to it when Neave was played in one on one.
The young NUFC stars saw the game out well and the final whistle meant they progressed to the FA Youth Cup fourth round.
Final score:
Newcastle 2 Brighton 1
Newcastle United Under 18s:
Harris, Shahar, Durrant (Alabi 63), Watts, Craggs, Finneran, Munda, Sanusi, Neave, Brayson (Bryant 63), Mills (Ferreira 69)