A NEWCASTLE United Academy side with eight under-16s due to Reserve-team and international call-ups was soundly beaten by a vastly more experienced Sunderland side in the Tyne-Wear derby at Little Benton.

United were never in the game as an attacking force and after holding out until the 27th minute, were then overrun by a Black Cats team with eight second-year players in their starting line-up.

Newcastle were under siege from the start and keeper Sam Filler had to touch a Martyn Waghorn shot onto the post after 11 minutes, while Dan Leadbitter headed a Nathan Luscombe cross off the line.

However, the deadlock was broken when Jordan Henderson whipped an unstoppable free-kick over the wall and into the top right corner from 20 yards.

There was still only one goal in it at the break, but four minutes into the second half Luscombe made it 2-0 with a firm eight-yard header from a right-wing Henderson corner.

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Waghorn should have had another within three minutes but planted a point-blank diving header from a Luscombe cross into the chest of Filler on the line.

However, Waghorn made amends on the hour, bursting through the centre and sliding a shot across the advancing keeper inside the right post from ten yards.

Niall McArdle headed Reed's chip over an open goal and Jack Colback fired against the base of Filler's left post before the arrival of 64th-minute substitute Liam Davidson briefly sparked United.

Twice in as many minutes Davidson saw a goalbound shot blocked by Michael Kay then forced Martin Hunter into his only save of the afternoon with a rising 18-yard drive.

However, Sunderland quickly regained control and 15 minutes from time Luscombe grabbed his second goal of the game, bundling home Adam Reed's ball in from the left at close range.

NEWCASTLE UNITED U-18s: Filler, Tavernier, Leadbitter, Taylor, Grieve, Henderson, Wrightson, Bath, Neary, Airey (sub Davidson 64), Williams (sub Inman 55). Sub not used: Mullen.

SUNDERLAND U-18s: Hunter, Cook, Liddle, Reed, Kay, McArdle, Henderson (sub Cornforth 72), Colback (sub Hourihane 69), Home-Jackson, Waghorn (sub Galer 67), Luscombe. Subs not used: Noble, Alnwick.

Referee: G Beswick.