Academy V Newcastle United (Home) (13/3/2010)

[Owenzy]

The Academy face Newcastle United U18s at 12pm tomorrow. Our boys drew 2-2 in an entertaining game against Crewe Alexandra last week, so will be looking to secure the all important three points this week.

Goalkeepers

Conor Devlin
Sam Johnstone

Defenders

Reece Brown
Ezekiel Fryers
Alberto Massacci
Tom Thorpe
Michele Fornasier
Scott Wootton
Sean McGinty
Luke Giverin
Michael Keane

Midfielders

Ryan Tunnicliffe
Paul Pogba
Davide Petrucci
Rob Brady
Ravel Morrison
Nicky Ajose
Etzaz Hussain
Larnell Cole

Strikers

Josh King
Will Keane
John Cofie
Jesse Lingard

Trialist

Connor Roberts-Nurse


I have given up predicting the starting eleven, I would have a better chance of winning the lottery!

I expect us to tighten up at the back this week, so I predict a 2-0 Utd win.

[Moon Utd]

You're right, there are so many behind-the-scenes issues and often selection isn't even about form. I guess when you're Paul McGuinness you need to balance winning matches with giving lots of your guys some playing time. Plus coverage of the Academy isn't great so it's hard to know what kind of injuries are being nursed.

The other name to take note of is Connor Roberts-Nurse, the triallist, who played last weekend. Will he get another match in place of other right backs like Massacci or Thorpe?

[Owenzy]

Devlin

Fornasier Thorpe McGinty Fryers

Lingard Hussain Pogba Ajose

King Cofie

Subs: Johnstone, Brown, Giverin, Keane and Wooton

[Owenzy]

A great near post save by the Newcastle goalkeeper to deny Cofie from finishing off a well worked move involving King and Ajose.

[Owenzy]

Fergie is in the dugout today.

[Owenzy]

1-0 Newcastle

A tap in from 3 yards out.

[Owenzy]

We're on top and don't deserve to be 1-0 down.

[Owenzy]

Lingards's goal bound volley was blocked in the 6 yard box.

[Owenzy]

The Newcastle back four have blocked a lot of shots today, hopefully King will get a break soon.

[Owenzy]

1-1 Pogba

A good delivery from Ajose, who curled his free kick towards the near post where Pogba was lurking, Pogba then rose and headed home to level things up.

[Owenzy]

King cracked the bar from a tight angle, it was great ball over the top from Ajose, but it sent King a bit too wide.

[Owenzy]

We need to be more clinical in front of goal, we have wasted several decent chances.

[Owenzy]

Halftime 1-1

[Owenzy]

A very even first half with us just shading it, we had the better chances to score but couldn't take advantage.

[Owenzy]

I have a feeling that Ajose will play a big part in this second half, he has been very lively today.

[Owenzy]

Hussain nearly scored with a curling cross from out wide, it would have been a fluke, but the keeper still did well to push it onto the bar.

[Owenzy]

Man Utd have U18s been sloppy in this half.

[Owenzy]

Keane and Brown replace King and Fornasier.

[Owenzy]

Several half chances have fell to both sides in this half, but nobody really looks like they're going to step up to score the winner.

[Owenzy]

A vital save by Devlin to stop their striker from scoring, he was one on one but Devlin made himself big and saved with ease.