United keep tabs on Italian wonderkid
Toon keeping tabs on ‘wonderkid’
NEWCASTLE United Under-23s lost for the second time in the space of a week as their season suffered another dent against Aston Villa at Whitley Park, writes LEE RYDER.
After crashing out of the Northumberland Senior Cup to Morpeth Town, Ben Dawson’s charges hoped they could get their promotion bid back on track.
However, against a Villa side containing five academy players, United crumbled on home soil in one of their most disappointing performances of the season.
The visitors took the lead after 16 minutes when Tyriek Wright’s corner was swung in from the lefthand side and Harvey Knibbs steered home a header which trickled over the line.
There was barely any response from Newcastle in the final third and when they did manage to work the ball to Yannick Toure a poor shot was frantically cleared away in the six-yard box.
United’s woe was compounded in first-half stoppage time as Wright crossed into the box from the right-wing, Lewis Brunt scrambling the ball home from close-range.
The second-half resulted in an early shot from Matty Longstaff but Vilijami Sinisalo pushed the ball over the bar.
Longstaff’s free-kick was curled at goal five minutes later but again Sinisalo was equal to it.
Just before the game drifted into stoppage time, Villa substitute Kelsey Mooney - son of former Scarborough and Watford star Tommy - rounded Harker before slotting home a third goal to finish the game in style for the visitors. ■■NEWCASTLE United have given Steve Harper the go ahead to work with Northern Ireland at international level.
The former Toon shot-stopper has been working with Ben Dawson for Newcastle Under-23s this season and played a part in helping reach the latter stages of the Checkatrade Trophy as well as a vastly-improved Premier League Two campaign.
He will now take up a double role working with Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.
Harper said: “When I was offered the opportunity of joining the Northern Ireland coaching team I had no hesitation in saying yes.
“Michael and the players have achieved great things in recent years and I am really looking forward to working with the excellent group of goalkeepers in the squad and playing my part in helping the team be successful.”