Newcastle's U23 side progressed to the last four of this season's Northumberland Senior Cup on Wednesday night, but their victory was anything but routine.

Trailing to an early goal from their Northern League hosts at Sam Smith's Park, there were just six minutes of the second half remaining when Rosaire Longelo forced home a face-saving equaliser.

With extra time not played in this competition, the tie went straight to a penalty shootout that the Magpies were successful in, thanks in no small part to a trio of stops from goalkeeper Jake Turner. 

The hosts took the lead in the fifth minute when a corner wasn't dealt with; Mechack Kanda played the ball back from the Benfield right for the unmarked Lewis Scorgie to fire in from close range.

United struggled to mount any form of response for the rest of the first half; home custodian Andrew Grainger equal to shots from Yannick Toure and Tom Allan. And there was a let-off for the Magpies on 38 minutes when SJP old boy Paul Brayson passed rather than shoot despite clear sight of goal.

With no attacking threat to speak of after the break, Newcastle coach Ben Dawson made a double switch introducing Rosaire Longelo and Victor Fernandez. However the latter lasted barely six minutes before pulling up with an injury and limping off to be replaced.

Having enjoyed elongated passes of meaningless possession without managing either shots or crosses, a flickering floodlight that raised the faint prospect of an abandonment appeared to be Newcastle's best hope of remaining in this competition. 

They did belatedly put pressure on Benfield in the closing stages though, Longelo levelling in the 84th minute after Grainger had failed to keep hold of Allan's initial shot. 

If that equaliser was scarcely deserved, then a 94th minute opportunity to win it would have an absolute smash and grab. However, Toure's header from Longelo's left wing cross lacked power and was saved.

That meant spot-kicks and after our usual penalty taker Allan tucked his away, recently arrived ex-Magpie Dennis Knight followed suit and Jack Young restored our advantage. Turner then denied Brayson and youngster Joe White kept his cool to slot home what was to be the winner. 

Peter Glen-Ravenhill reduced the arrears before the next four penalties were saved, giving United a 3-2 win - although the Benfield bench initially miscounted and failed to realise that an outcome had been reached after five kicks each. The referee was un-moved. 


The other three Quarter Final ties were also played on  Wednesday, floodlight issues at Bedlington Terriers seeing them concede home advantage to Blyth Spartans, who hosted the tie at Croft Park:

Newcastle Benfield 1-1 Newcastle United (3-2 pens)
North Shields 2-1 West Allotment Celtic
Bedlington Terriers 1-2 Blyth Spartans
Morpeth Town 2-0 Whitley Bay

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