Friday evening saw Newcastle's U23 see off the challenge of city neighbours Newcastle Benfield to seal a place in the Northumberland Senior Cup Final.

Callum Roberts fired United ahead after 20 minutes at Whitley Park, gathered the ball on the right flank, cutting inside and shooting low inside the near post.

That lead was doubled in the 37th minute when Victor Fernandez and Tyrique Bartlett tried to exchange passes and the ball broke free to Mo Sangare who side-footed past the 'keeper.

The Northern League side missed the chance to go ahead earlier in the tie, Jon Mellish shooting straight at goalkeeper Paul Woolston in only the sixth minute.

Both Roberts and Sangare then went close to a third before the break but fired wide.

Roberts had a shot well saved after a mazy run in the 74th minute but sealed the victory seven minutes later when he swept in a left wing cross from Callum Smith

Two minutes before United's third, ex-Magpie Paul Brayson should have notched yet another goal for Benfield but with the goal at his mercy, side-footed wide when it looked easier to score.

The Magpies could have added to their tally near the end but Andrew Grainger saved well from Fernandez, Owen Gallacher and Roberts in the closing stages - the crossbar also coming to his aid. 

Having last lifted this trophy back in 2014, Northern League Morpeth Town now await in the final, played once again at St. James' Park.

Thanks to GW