Under-23 report | Newcastle 0-3 Wolves

Newcastle 0 Wolves 3 (Perry 21, Shabani 40, Matheson 56)

Wolves under-23s returned to winning ways in style in the north east, as three goals without reply saw off Newcastle United. James Collins’ side never looked back once Taylor Perry put them in front, with Meritan Shabani and Luke Matheson completing a resounding win for the youngsters.

Perry had already come close to scoring in the opening stages, when his left-footed strike was beaten away by Max Thompson, so when the goal arrived on 21 minutes, it was thoroughly deserved. Possession was switched to the right, where Oskar Buur skipped past his man and fired a delightful ball across the face of goal and on to the foot of Perry, who converted from close range.

Perry had set the tone and his teammates duly responded, as Luke Cundle’s inch-perfect through ball sent Shabani through, and the German showed great composure to slot in the second five minutes before the break.

Wolves continued their momentum into the second period and Theo Corbeanu stung the palms of Thompson before the third arrived. That strike followed a fine team more involving Lewis Richards and Owen Otasowie, who set Hugo Bueno on his way down the left and the Spaniard’s cross was turned in by Luke Matheson, claiming his first goal in old gold.

Newcastle’s response came in the form of a woodwork strike courtesy of Ludwig Francillett’s header from Stan Flaherty’s corner. However, that was as good as it got for the Magpies, as Wolves claimed a first league win on the road since September 2019.

COMING UP

James Collins’ side turn their attention back to the Papa John’s Trophy next Tuesday when they travel to Vale Park to take on League Two side Port Vale.

NEXT FIVE

08/12 Port Vale* (A) – Papa John’s Trophy

14/12 West Bromwich Albion (A)

18/12 Norwich City (A)

18/01 Burnley (A)

24/01 Leeds (H)

*indicates first-team opposition

TEAMS

Newcastle: Thompson, Barrett, Francillette, Cross, Midgley, Brookwell, White, Flaherty, Longelo (Stephenson 54), Vilca (Rounsfell 90), Toure.

Unused subs: Swailes, Marshall, Gamblin.

Wolves: Sondergaard, Buur, Lonwijk (Matheson 46), Marques, Richards, Bueno, Cundle, Perry, Otasowie (Wan 88), Corbeanu, Shabani.

Unused subs: Extrada, Hesketh, Carty.