Table-topping Toon's Ballymena bonanza.

Nice to see the youngsters doing so well. The future looks quite bright.

After opening their Milk Cup campaign on Saturday with a 4-0 success, United's youngsters again hit the goal trail on Monday at Ballymena, notching half a dozen without reply against their shell-shocked Mexican opponents.

Once again the black and whites dominated from the off and were ahead within five minutes, Adam Campbell smashing the ball home from just inside the box.

Camping in the opposition half, both Ryan McKinnon and Greg Olley then saw goalbound efforts cleared off the Pachuca line before Campbell centred from the left for Alex Gilliead to convert with a powerful header.

And with 'keeper Freddie Woodman and the rest of the Magpies defence having the easiest of nights, Newcastle made it 3-0 just before the interval when Rolando Aarons buried a fine left foot volley.

The Mexicans emerged for the second half with a new goalkeeper, who was powerless as McKinnon crashed a header off the crossbar.

More Newcastle goals were inevitable though with Aarons a constant threat on the wing and a fourth duly arrived on 51 minutes courtesy of a neat close-range finish from Greg Olley.

Pachuca then introduced their third custodian of the game and he was soon also picking the ball out of the net, after his defence were unable to clear their lines and Ryan McKinnon took advantage to grab a deserved goal.

Having started the rout, Campbell then completed the scoring on 68 minutes by converting a spot kick, after the match referee had spotted a handball.

A damp night at the Showgrounds kept the crowd down to around 200, but some local toon sympathisers were still on hand to give the lads a cheers - including John Adair and his son Andrew Adair from Portavogie.

NUFC.com reader Wayne Allen was again on hand to provide details and pictures and while acknowledging the performances of both McKinnon and Campbell, went for unsung hero Adam Armstrong as his man of the match.

NUFC: Woodman (Grant 55), McKinnon, Kitchen (Sterry 45), Satka, Booth, Aarons, Olley (Morgan 60), Armstrong, Smith (Quinn 50), Campbell, Gilliead (Lopez 50)
Subs n/u: Desmond, Storey.

United now face CSKA Moscow on Tuesday in Ballymoney and after having begun with a six goal demolition of local lads Londonderry on Saturday, the Russians lost by the odd goal in three to Senegal side Lusitana on Monday.

The black and whites currently top the 20 team table but need a third straight win to guarantee a top four finish and a semi-final place in the Premier Milk Cup.

In order to keep all teams involved, the league table as it stands following the third game is then divided into five sections of four and as well as the main Cup, semi finals and finals are played for the Globe, Vase, Bowl & Plate.

Also competing in the Premier Section are:

Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, Desportivo Brazil (Brazil), Benfica (Portugal), Otago (New Zealand), South Coast Strikers (USA), CSKA Moscow (Russia) Pachuca (Mexico), Revo Express (Norway), Ichifuna (Japan), Etoile Lusitana (Senegal), Cherry Orchard (Ireland) and county sides from Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone & Londonderry.

Taken from NUFC.com

 

Does anybody ever go to watch the younsters play? Seems Beardo's doing a really good job with them. They've got a really good teacher.