Wilson hopes to cap season with cup win

NEWCASTLE United Under-23s will take on Morpeth Town in the 2018 Techflow Marine Senior Cup final this evening.

The match, which will take place at the Magpies’ St James’ Park (7.30pm), will see the young United side go head to head with Northern League Division One league leaders Morpeth.

The Northumberland FA are hoping for another good crowd for the showpiece final, and for United’s youngsters it’s a chance to land some silverware.

For 18-year-old wideman Adam Wilson, it would cap a season which saw him capped for England Under-18s, while also making the breakthrough for Newcastle U23s.

“I’d like to be involved in the game – it’s a big cup, it’s the final and it’s being played at St James’, so hopefully we can get the win,” he said in an interview with the club’s official website.

“It’s always good to get far in the cups, try to do the best you can for the club and individually as well, just to prove what you’ve got.

“It’s what every kid wants to do, to play at St James’. It’s a dream, really – especially in front of lots of fans.

“When you play at the big stadiums, you always want to do your best. In the FA Youth Cup in particular, everyone wants to play really well and when you’re at the big stadiums, in front of fans, you want to get far.

“Hopefully I can play well and do my best for the team.”

There will be a result on the night, with extra-time and penalties should the game end all-square.

And the NFA’s chief executive officer John Ackerley is anticipating another exciting match.

“I’d like to give a big thank you to Newcastle United who will yet again be hosting our flagship event,” he said. “Building on a successful Senior Cup last season, this year we will look to provide supporters with an even better experience – with further details to be announced closer to the date.

“The two finalists both play a high standard of football and it will certainly be a well-contested game, which I encourage fans of North East football to come out and support.”

Admission is £7 for adults, £3 concessions, via the East Stand turnstiles. THE “ideal scenario” for Newcastle United would see Rafa Benitez backed sufficiently this summer in order to make the Magpies competitive again, believes Steve Harper.

Benitez’s representatives initiated talks with Magpies managing director Lee Charnley last week over the Spaniard’s contract – with this summer’s transfer budget believed to be a key discussion point.

Though the former United keeper accepts it is unrealistic to expect Mike Ashley to arm Benitez with a transfer kitty which will ensure Newcastle are challengers for the top six next season, Harper insists it is essential the Spaniard is allowed to strengthen his squad.

With sustained investment over the next few years, Harper envisages Benitez gradually taking Newcastle higher in the table and eventually challenging for trophies.

But, should Benitez be given a restricted budget this summer, then Harper fears Newcastle will suffer from ‘second-season syndrome’ with quality additions needed in order to avoid such a scenario unfolding. “He needs to be backed this summer, definitely,” Harper said. “If the situation was to stay the same, then again it would be difficult next year – and then you’re into second-season syndrome, where teams work you out and know how you’re going to play, so they’re better prepared for you. “Hopefully he is Rafa Benitez going to be backed, because if he takes them to 10th this season, that would be a huge bonus – and any funds from that need to go back into the team through rebuilding.

“Is he going to be backed with money to the tune of making Newcastle competitive for the top six? I think that’s highly unlikely.

“But it would be nice if they did back him and, if they do back him sufficiently, then ideally he would sign a new contract and be able to build something by growing year on year.

“Then you can move up a position or two every year and really get this club competitive again.