33 mins Ofoborh shot 0-1

Half time: Magpies 0 Cherries 1

50 mins Gillesphey shot 1-1

54 mins Ndjoli shot 1-2

57 mins Charman shot 2-2

82 mins Charman header 3-2

Full time: Magpies 3 Cherries 2

Having survived a change of venue and some filthy weather, United U23s twice came from behind to seal their Premier League Cup Quarter Final spot on Friday.

A waterlogged pitch at Whitley Park meant a swift relocation next door to the Darsley Park first team training ground, leaving a handful of fans with nothing in the way of protection from the elements.

Both sides played some neat football in the early stages although Newcastle created the better chances. Mo Sangare was to the fore early on and one of his runs and shot at goal in the 10th minute forced a good save out of Bournemouth ‘keeper Mark Travers.
 
Midway through the first half, Sangare created a terrific chance for Owen Gallacher, playing a superb ball through the middle which the winger read to perfection as he broke past defenders into the penalty area. Sadly he shot wide with only the ‘keeper to beat.

But it was not all one-way traffic and some sustained Bournemouth play on their left flank ended with them taking the lead in the 33rd minute. The United defence had a few chances to clear the danger but failed to do so and Nnamdi Ofoborh found the far corner of the net with a low shot from the left side of the penalty area.

Newcastle got back on level terms on 52 minutes, when Macaulay Gillesphey left his defensive role, pushed forward to play a nice inter-passing move and then shot across the ‘keeper from the left corner of the six yard box.

But just three minutes later, The Cherries were ahead again. United pushed up but left themselves open to a counter-attack and Mikael Ndjoli's skill saw him take the ball around home goalkeeper Otto Huuhtanen to score.

It was only 1-2 for a couple of minutes though, before the Magpies drew level again. A peach of a cross from the right by Yasin Ben El-Mhanni was made to measure for Luke Charman inside the penalty area and despite the attentions of a defender, he neatly side-footed the ball home.

Despite the atrocious conditions, both teams served up some attractive football and went for the winner. There were eight minutes left when Gillesphey sent in an inch-perfect ball from the left for Charman to calmly head in his thirteenth goal of the season.

Bournemouth tried one last throw of the dice by sending on two substitutes in the last couple of minutes and pushing up goalkeeper Travers in added time. As the steady rain gave way to a deluge though, Ben Dawson's side held out and avoided the unwelcome prospect of extra time.

PLC last 16 ties:

16.03.2018 Newcastle 3-2 Bournemouth
16.03.2018 Aston Villa 2-0 Blackburn Rovers
16.03.2018 Southampton 0-4 Leicester City
17.03.2018 Brighton 3-0 Everton 
21.03.2018 Wolves v Exeter City
21.03.2018 Boro v Liverpool
27.03.2018 Sheffield United v Derby County
29.03.2018 Swansea City v Bristol City

With thanks to AC