Newcastle won 3-1 on penalties

Sunderland 0 Newcastle 0

FREDDIE WOODMAN saved two penalties to help Newcastle United Under-18s beat rivals Sunderland to reach the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.

A tight affair in front of 1,733 at the Stadium of Light went all the way last night, but it was the Magpies’ young keeper who secured his side’s passage after saving Dan Casey and Elliot Embleton’s spot-kicks, while Ethan Robson also missed for Elliot Dickman’s Young Black Cats.

Adam Armstrong, Sean Longstaff and Ben Drennan made no mistakes to give Newcastle a 3-1 victory on penalties after the game finished goalless at the end of extra time.

The results means Kevin Richardson’s Magpies now face a quarter-final tie with Chelsea on Tyneside.

Newcastle got off to a good start when Dan Ward collected the ball on the edge of the box, but his drive sailed over the bar.

Callum Roberts, who signed a professional contract with Newcastle last week, demonstrated why he is so highly thought of on Tyneside, with some impressive first half play.

The winger, who made his first-team debut as a second half substitute in the FA Cup third round defeat at Leicester, took on two defenders and advanced into the box, but he was crowded out before he could pick out a team-mate.

While Richardson’s side were creating the chances and retaining the ball well, the hosts played their part in a lively opening half hour and they even had the ball in the back of the net.

Dylan McEvoy rose highest to guide the ball home, but it was ruled out for a foul on Freddie Woodman.

The chance gave Sunderland a boost, but not long after Roberts and Adam Armstrong combined to create another opening for the Tynesiders.

Roberts found the striker on the edge of the area, but James Talbot comfortably collected his shot.

Roberts was at it again moments later with a mazy run on the left, but there was no one on hand to convert his back post cross.

While Roberts was shining for Newcastle, Sunderland had a bright light of their own in Rees Greenwood and he came closest to giving the Young Black Cats the lead in the 32nd minute.

Jordan Blinco played a superb cross-field pass to Greenwood on the left and after beating Jamie Cobain for pace he drilled a low shot inches wide of the far post.

Three minutes later Blinco tried his luck and forced an excellent save from Woodman.

It wouldn’t be a Wear-Tyne derby without a bit of spice and Denver Hume was booked seven minute before the break for a late challenge on Roberts.

While Newcastle created more chances, it was the hosts who went in at the break disappointed not to be ahead, but moments after the break another opportunity arose.

The lively Greenwood jinked past Cobain down the left and found Daniel Wright with a neat pull back, but somehow the forward send his close range effort the wrong side of the post.

It was a let off for Newcastle, but responded well with a couple of great chances.

Both fell to Armstrong, his first a low shot that went wide of the near post, but his second demonstrated exactly why he has been part of the first team this season.

The 17-year-old collected the ball just inside the box with two defenders on his back, but he turned and produced a shot out of nothing only to see his effort go wide.

The visitors had to be alert when Wright latched on to a through ball and rounded Woodman, but Kyle Cameron recovered to make a superb block.

Armstrong and Talbot tussled when the striker tried to block the Sunderland keeper’s clearance and both were booked as a result.

Chances were at a premium in the extra-time as both sides tired, but the visitors had the best chance to win it when Armstrong ran through on goal, but Michael Ledger got back to make a last ditch tackle.

It went to penalties – and Woodman made two impressive saves to deny Casey and Embleton in between Ethan Robson’s missed kick.

Sunderland (4-1-4-1): Talbot, J Robson, Colquhoun, Ledger, Hume (Casey, 95); McEvoy (Molyneux, 65); Greenwood, Wright, E Robson, Blinco; Nelson (Embleton, 107).. Subs (not used): Lowrie, Purvis

Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Woodman; Cobain, Newberry, Cameron, Laidler; Roberts, Drennan, Barlaser (Broccoli, 101), Ward (Heaney, 75); Longstaff, Armstrong. Subs (not used): Holmes, Harker, Pollock