At least the reserves are in form

OK, so maybe I'm clinging to any bit of 'good news', but it's better than most of the stuff we've seen lately.

From NUFC.COM:

Norwich City U21s 1 Newcastle U21s 2

Newcastle's second string extended their unbeaten run to ten games, thanks to goals from Gael Bigirimana and Dan Gosling at the Norwich training ground on Monday. The win returned United to the top of the league table with only Bolton Wanderers now able to pip them - the Trotters needing to complete the unlikely feat of winning at Crystal Palace tonight and Newcastle on Friday, while turning round an inferior goal difference of seven.

Group winners will play a one-off match against Everton, with the prize of a semi-final place in the U21 playoffs, where they'll face Elite Group winners Spurs.

City made a bright opening and went ahead on 15 minutes after Jamar Loza beat four men on a eye-catching run that took him from the halfway line to the United area. The Jamaican-born forward then pulled the ball across the six yard area for Harrison Heath to bundle beyond Jonathan Mitchell - the United custodian starting the game in the number 13 shirt after Jak Alnwick looked to have picked up an injury during the warm up.

Gael Bigirimana then levelled for United on 27 minutes, registering his first reserve goal by curling a fine free kick around the home wall and into the bottom corner of the City goal, beyond the reach of 'keeper Jed Steer. And the visitors survived a scare just before the break, when James Tavernier surrendered possession on the edge of his own area and Aaron Wickham saw a snap shot glance off the United crossbar.

The second half was a tight affair and chances were at a premium, with Dan Gosling rightly called offside as he put the ball in the net on 56 minutes. However there was nothing wrong with the close range effort that put United ahead for the first time with nine minutes remaining, Adam Campbell taking a pass from Tavernier on the left flank and sending over a perfect centre for Everton old boy Gosling to head home.

United play their final game of the scheduled league campaign this Friday evening when Bolton provide the opposition at Whitley Park (7pm).

Team: Mitchell, Sterry, Desmond (Miele 52), Bigirimana, Tavernier, Satka, Aarons, Richardson, Campbell, Gosling, Gilliead. Subs n/u: Booth, Olley, Quinn (Alnwick)

NCFC: Steer, Sheriff, McNeil, Clunan, Tunnicliffe, Gafaiti, Kalu, Coker (Carroll 31), Wickham, Heath (St.Louis 87), Loza. Sub n/u: Matthews.

U21 Premier League Group Two:

Pos Club P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Newcastle 11 6 4 1 20 11 9 22
2 Reading 12 6 2 4 15 11 4 20
3 Norwich 11 5 1 5 17 13 4 16
4 Man City 12 4 4 4 24 22 2 16
5 Bolton 10 4 4 2 15 13 2 16
6 Palace 9 2 3 4 15 22 -7 9
7 Stoke 11 2 0 9 9 23 -14 6

Remaining fixtures:

Mon 29.04.2013:
Crystal Palace U21 v Bolton U21 (7pm)
Fri 03.05.2013:
Norwich U21 v Crystal Palace U21 (2pm)
Newcastle U21 v Bolton U21 (7pm)

Date tbc
Stoke City v Crystal Palace (ko tbc)

 

Nearly posted that myself earlier Obi, nice that one of our teams can still win.

Think maybe you should have given a bit credit to NUFC.com

 

Small mercies. The senior squad should learn a thing or two.