BARNSLEY U-18s 1
NEWCASTLE UNITED U-18s 2
Premier Academy League North
Saturday, November 3, 2007

TWO goals from skipper Mark Doninger brought United under-18s their first Academy victory of the season against Barnsley at Oakwell today.

Doninger struck after eight and 48 minutes - then struck a 54^th-minute penalty against the post with a hat-trick beckoning.

United, who had earned only two points from their first 11 games, also hit the woodwork twice before a late Barnsley goal ensured a tense finish - but the young Magpies saw the game out confidently.

With internationals Ryan Donaldson and Patrick McLaughlin back in the starting line-up, United had a more confident air about them although they were indebted to a second-minute save from Sam Filler, turning a Ryan Jennings shot onto the bar, for keeping them level.

Six minutes later Doninger whipped in a free-kick from 18 yards out wide on the left and when Ryan Donaldson went for the ball and missed it, Tykes keeper Danny Free was left stranded as it bounced into the far corner of the net.

United were well in control and Free pulled off a diving save from Donaldson then tipped around the post another from Frank Danquah.

With Mark Bertram filling a new holding role in front of the back four, United dominated midfield and three minutes after the break doubled their lead.

Bertram's long pass to the right released Jonny Godsmark, who cleverly pulled the ball back to Danquah. The Dutch youngster shaped to shoot then squared for Doninger to crack a 14-yard shot under the diving Free.

In the 54^th minute, Barnsley right-back Jamie Saxton tripped Donaldson as the United striker turned on the corner of the six-yard box and referee Bell pointed immediately to the spot.

Normal penalty-taker Danquah generously handed the ball to Doninger to give his captain a hat-trick opportunity - but Doninger's shot cannoned back to safety off the left post with Free beaten.

Barnsley made a double substitution but it was United who stayed in control, and twice in the space of three minutes the woodwork denied them a third goal.

On 70 minutes Alex Patterson played a ball up to Danquah who turned his man on the edge of the box and dipped a shot over Free which hit the top of the bar and flew over.

Two minutes later Patrick McLaughlin curled a right-foot shot past Free which clipped the base of the right post on it way behind.

A Barnsley goal seemed remote - but out of the blue on 77 minutes Greg McGrory got past Patterson on the right and Jamie Adam slid in ahead of Alex Francis to convert his low cross from six yards.

Barnsley launched a succession of high balls in their quest for a late equaliser but determined United held firm to land their first victory of 2007-08.

BARNSLEY U-18s: Free, Saxton (sub Mellor 55), Smith, Jennings, Waterfall, Bennett, A Taylor (sub Grundy 55), White, Federenko, Adam (sub Williams 82), McGrory. Subs not used: Watts, Devonshire.

NEWCASTLE U-18s: Filler, Leadbitter, Morris, Francis, Patterson, Bertram, Doninger, McLaughlin (sub Ferguson 71), Godsmark, Danquah, Donaldson. Subs not used: Wrightson, J Taylor, Bath, Mullen.

Referee: M Bell.