Toon Kids Reach Semi-Finals

Last updated : 26 February 2010 By Footy Mad - Editor

NU

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Jak Alnwick, James Tavernier, Jeff Henderson (c), Stephen Folan, Paul Dummett, Samuel Adjei (Patrick Nzuzi 86), Greg McDermott, Brad Inman, Conor Newton, Sammy Ameobi, Phil Airey
Subs n/u: Ben Robinson, Aaron Spear, Liam Henderson, Daniel Taylor

The Under-18s marched into the last four of the FA Youth Cup following a 4-2 victory over Palace with the Magpies enjoying their first home fixture of the competition.

Progress into the semi-finals has made it a third appearance in five years in the last-four stage after progress in 2006 and 2007.

The Toon went ahead on 24 minutes when Samuel Adjei's free-kick was put in by Conor Newton.

Adjei doubled the advantage just three minutes later when the Sweden youth international scored from 20 yards.

Then came a bizarre 60-second period when Newcastle gifted two penalties, both following Paul Dummett challenges with Wilfred Zaha.

The first, on 38 minutes, was kept out by goalkeeper Jak Alnwick who denied Joe Goldsmith.

But the Palace midfielder stepped up again and this time scored from 12 yards.

Within eight minutes of the second half Newcastle had restored their two-goal cushion.

Phil Airey scored from close range.

A fourth goal arrived 12 minutes from time as James Sammy Ameobi rifled past Mann from 10 yards to finish the contest.

There was still time, however, for Ibra Sekajja to give The Eagles a respectable scoreline when he lobbed beyond Alnwick shortly afterwards to bring Palace to within two.

Chris Hughton:  “The competition is a very special one for the young lads here.

“They enjoy playing in it because it is one of the highlights of their season.

“It is a chance for them to play on the big stage.

“They only have to look at some of the players who are in the first-team pool now to see what can be achieved.

“In the last round against West Ham, the lads pulled off a very good win against a side which has a fine history in the competition.

“The Hammers run a very good Academy and you only have to look at the list of players the club have produced to see what the standards are like."