For the second time in 2019, Newcastle's U23 side found themselves on the wrong end of a heavy defeat by their Manchester United counterparts at St. James' Park.

The Red Devils scored five without reply back in April and Friday saw them finish just one short of that total, as The Magpies lost for the third time in as many games this season. 

Suspensions as result of dismissals meant that Owen Bailey and Oisin McEntee were both missing, while the departure of Kelland Watts on loan further restricted our defensive choices.

In the absence of Stefan O'Connor and new boy Ludwig Francillette, 17 year-old centre back Jude Swailes stepped up from the U18s, fellow juniors Elliot Anderson and Tom Midgley filling the bench.

The visitors had won their opening two games 5-0 and 2-0 while Newcastle were beaten 0-6 and 1-2 but it took until seven minutes before the interval for the home rearguard to be finally breached.

The black and whites had seen sight of goal moments before when Luke Charman's shot was saved, but a ball from D'Mani Mellor to Tahith Chong in the box saw him drill a low effort across Jake Turner and into the Gallowgate End.

Two minutes later Largie Ramazani received the ball on the edge of the area and jinked past a couple of static defenders before firing low for 0-2.

Chong got his second on the hour to make it 0-3 when he picked up a pass from the left and placed a crisp left-footed strike beyond the 'keeper.

Man of the match, James Garner got their fourth six minutes from time when he took a pass on the edge of the box and rifled home to fairly reflect his side's control of what by then was anything but a contest.

Neil Redfearn's side return to action on Friday, facing Fulham in a 2pm start at Motspur Park. 

Many thanks to GW.