Win shows the future of Toon starlets looks far from Grim
TROPHY BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN YOUNG MAGPIES
NEWCASTLE United booked their place in the knockout stages of the Checkatrade Trophy in real style with a 3-2 win over Grimsby Town.
The result meant the young Magpies topped Group G with a 100% record and earned a home tie in the last 32 next month.
On a night when a crowd of just 547 turned up at Blundell Park, it was easy to forget this competition ends with a Wembley final at the end of the season.
Yet while some fans continue to boycott the tournament it could prove to be crucial for the careers of some of Ben Dawson’s youngsters.
Here are five things we learned from the five-goal thriller.
1) IT IS 15 GOALS AND COUNTING FOR ELIAS SORENSEN BUT HE IS STILL NOT READY FOR LIFE IN THE FIRST TEAM
The Danish teenager is in excellent form in front of goal and the win against Grimsby resulted in another strike and assist for the youngster.
However, he is still learning his trade and his temper remains an issue.
After an excellent first half he became targeted by Grimsby players and reacted by squaring up to Paul Dixon in the second half as home players tried to get a rise from the 19-year-old.
It resulted in Sorensen coming off early as Newcastle tried to manage his emotions - but there is plenty to work with for the United back-room team when it comes to the young Academy forward.
A run of games in League Two or League One in the second half of the season will do the striker the world of good rather than potentially scarring the player for life by throwing him in too early at first-team level.
It may not be a popular verdict but expectations must be managed carefully and he must go step by step.
2) THE CHECKATRADE TROPHY IS AN EDUCATION FOR UNITED’S YOUNGSTERS
The facilities at Newcastle’s Academy are on a different level compared to League Two.
United’s young players are used to a lap of luxury at Little Benton but Blundell Park was a real taste of life in the lower leagues. Not least when Grimsby played one of the oldest tricks on the lower-league circuit by turning off the hot water in the visiting dressing room.
As Newcastle players had a laugh about it on their way out of the ground, it was a throwback to the days when Cambridge boss John Beck carried out a similar operation in the 1990s!
3) NEWCASTLE HAVE A SERIOUSLY TALENTED PAIR OF BROTHERS ON THEIR HANDS WITH THE LONGSTAFF BOYS
Sean Longstaff and Matty Longstaff fought tooth and nail for the man of the match award at Grimsby.
The duo look ridiculously comfortable on the ball and their ability to turn and dictate the pace of the game ensured the home side was snuffed out of the midfield battle.
It was probably justice one of them was able to have the final say on the game - and it turned out to be the younger of the two siblings.
Longstaff’s curling free-kick beat goalkeeper Sam Russell all ends up with incredible accuracy to find the bottom corner.
4) ALL OF BEN DAWSON’S YOUNGSTERS DESERVE THE CHANCE TO PLAY IN
FRONT OF A BIGGER CROWD
With just 547 fans in attendance (66 in the Newcastle end) this was like a non-league match in terms of numbers.
One Grimsby supporter leaned into the press box and calmly stated: “We are just not interested in this competition you know.”
Twitter site Against League Three encouraged a B-team boycott as they feel the presence of under-21 teams devalues the competition.
Yet from a United point of view getting a big crowd at St James’ Park in the next round would be the greatest experience of many of this team’s careers so far.
After beating senior sides like Doncaster, Notts County and Grimsby, nobody should begrudge them a big night.
There may be critics lining up to slam the tournament but Newcastle have enjoyed every game so far.
5) WE’LL HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER FOR A TYNE-WEAR DERBY
There was an outside chance of Sunderland having to send their first team to St James’ Park in the next round last night. Had the Wearsiders finished second they may have been plucked out for a visit to Tyneside.
However, their 1-0 victory at Morecambe suspended that possibility.
Should Newcastle and Sunderland get through to the last 16 the next stage of the competition is still regionalised - so there could yet be a Tyne-Wear tussle in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Getting a big crowd at St James’ Park in the next round would be the greatest experience of many of this team’s careers so far