Newcastle United U21s' miserable recent run has continued with a narrow defeat at Sheffield United. Owen Hampson's strike sealed a 2-1 win for the Blades and condemned the young Magpies to a fifth straight loss.
Two matches in the space of three days led Elliott Dickman to make wholesale changes for the midweek Northumberland Senior Cup defeat at Whitley Bay on Wednesday. Matt Bondswell was the only player to keep his place for the clash with the Blades, with the likes of Lewis Miley, Jay Turner-Cooke and Joe White all restored to the starting eleven.
The Blades were gifted the lead when James Huntley underhit a backpass to Jude Smith, presenting Frankie Maguire with a simple finish into an unguarded net. Newcastle pulled level on the stroke of half-time as Miley nodded home after a clever set-piece routine.
