Late heartbreak for the Magpies
NEWCASTLE United Under-23s suffered late heartache at St James’ Park as Swansea City performed a smash-and-grab raid deep into stoppage time.
On a night when the black and whites created plenty of chances, this was a cruel blow in their latest Premier League 2 clash as Oli Cooper won it for the visitors.
Although, Neil Redfearn’s side will at least take some solace from a bright performance in which a highpressing game pushed the Swans to the limit before a late lapse in concentration at the end.
The young Magpies absorbed some early pressure from Swansea but created a presentable opportunity on 15 minutes.
Rosaire Longelo made a fine run down the right-hand side and beat his marker before putting the ball on a plate for Luke Charman, but the number nine somehow headed wide from close range at the Leazes End.
Mid-way through the first half Jack Young tried one from long range with his effort stinging the hands of goalkeeper Josh Gould.
Newcastle were grateful to teenage goalkeeper Dan Langley after he made a fine block to deny Oli Cooper six minutes before the break.
Longelo saw another effort blocked just before the break with the resultant corner coming to nothing.
And just seconds before half-time left-back Olly Walters made a great move forward before striking an effort just over the bar.
But the two sides went in level at the interval after a hard fought opening 45 minutes.
United coach Redfearn made his first change of the night when Scotland youth international Elliot Anderson replaced former Chelsea man Scott with just under half an hour to go.
Newcastle lacked quality in the final third.
They made a second change when Ireland youth defender Oisin McEntee replaced Thomas Allan with 11 minutes to go.
With eight minutes left, Longelo laid it off for Charman but he blazed over the top. It was Longelo’s last act of the game as Joe White replaced him for the final five minutes.
United won a free-kick in the 89th minute but it was saved well by Gould. But Swansea nicked it in stoppage time as Cooper headed home from a set-play to beat Langley with a bullet header.
It was rough justice on Newcastle and Langley on a night when they deserved at least a point and the clean sheet.