SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY U18s 0
NEWCASTLE UNITED U18s 2
Premier Academy League North
Saturday, March 1, 2008

Centre-half Alex Francis and centre-forward Dan Neary were on target as Newcastle's Academy youngsters notched up a superb 2-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday to climb above the Owls in the Group D table.

Article continues>>

United produced a top-class performance and always looked likely to take the points after Francis rose at the far post to nod Shane Ferguson's inswinging left-wing corner back across home keeper Arron Jameson.

The Magpies' Swedish goalkeeper Ole Soderberg made two fine saves late in the first half to keep United ahead, first saving at point-blank range from Ash Worsfold, then diving at the feet of Leon Lekaj six yards from goal.

At the other end, though, Paddy McLaughlin could have doubled the lead with a 42nd-minute header that shaved the right post.

United dominated the second half with the wind at their backs, and Francis almost grabbed his second goal on the hour with a volley from a Ferguson free-kick which Jameson dived to save.

Five minutes later the Owls keeper had to fling himself to his left to keep out a McLaughlin free-kick.

But within another 60 seconds United were 2-0 ahead thanks to a remarkable goal.

Francis was the man behind it, catapulting a long throw from just inside his own half on the right into the path of Neary.

Neary let the ball bounce on into the box, holding off the challenge of Callum Harrison, then lashed a brilliant shot across the keeper low into the far corner.

Wednesday threw on two more substitutes immediately, including a replacement goalkeeper, but United were able to ease their way through to the end with three substitutions of their own in the final ten minutes.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY U-18s: Jameson (sub Pratt 67), Lekaj, Wragg, Harrison, Hadfield, Liversidge, Worsfold, Stirrup (sub Mohammed 67), Tunnard (sub Bowman 52), Barnes, Wood. Sub not used: Connelly.

NEWCASTLE UNITED U-18s: Soderberg, Leadbitter, Lough, Francis, Taylor, Bertram (sub Bath 87), Inman (sub McCrudden 89), McLaughlin, Neary (sub Airey 80), Wrightson, Ferguson. Sub not used: Johnson.