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Under-21s Edge Narrow Friendly Win as Salia Shines on Debut
- NUFC Talk Radio
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Newcastle United’s Under-21s continued their development work with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a spirited Northern Ireland Under-19s side in a friendly match on Tuesday afternoon.
The showpiece of the game was the first appearance and first goal for exciting young forward Vakhtang Salia. The 18-year-old marked his debut with a composed finish after linking well with his teammates, giving United an early lead and setting the tone for a competitive encounter.
Newcastle looked confident in the early stages, with Salia and Joe Brayson combining well to create openings. It was Salia who broke the deadlock on 34 minutes, tapping in from close range after a well-timed low cross found him unmarked inside the six-yard box.
However, Northern Ireland struck back shortly before half-time, capitalising on a lapse in concentration in the United defence. A lofted ball over the backline caught Newcastle off guard, and the visitors made no mistake, levelling the score just before the break.
The second half saw chances at both ends. Brayson came close to restoring United’s lead after a blistering run, only to see his shot blocked by the visiting goalkeeper. As the clock ticked down, Newcastle regained the advantage when substitute Guy Bloomer won a penalty after his high press forced an error. Matheos Ferreira stepped up, but his spot-kick was saved, keeping the scoreline tight.
Despite the missed penalty, Newcastle held on, showing resilience and control in the closing stages to seal a narrow victory and boost morale ahead of their return to Premier League 2 action.
Young Talent on Display
Salia’s goal will be a huge confidence boost for a young player returning from a long-term hamstring injury sustained shortly after signing from Dinamo Tbilisi in August 2025. His contribution alongside Brayson highlighted the depth emerging through Newcastle’s academy, even if the final pass or finish only occasionally clicked.
The Under-21s now look ahead to their next competitive match in Premier League 2, a trip to face Leicester City’s second team on March 9.emier League 2, a trip to face Leicester City’s second team on March 9.
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