NEWCASTLE UNITED: Woodman, Sterry, Cameron, O’Connor, Yarney, Gillesphey, Fernandez (Sangare, 65), Heaney (Kitchen, 65), Charman, Barlaser, C Smith (Heardman, 65).
Newcastle United’s Under-23s suffered a heavy 6-2 Premier League 2 defeat at St Mary’s Stadium last night.
An experienced Southampton side beat Peter Beardsley’s team a day after the two clubs met at the stadium in the Premier League.
Newcastle conceded three first-half goals, all from close range, and it wasn't particularly good for Freddie Woodman who has been knocking on Rafa's door wanting a chance in the first team.
Marcus Barnes opened the scoring in the eighth minute, and strikes from Jonathan Afolabi and Sam McQueen put the home side in a commanding position at the interval.
United fought back in the second half and strikes from fit-again Tom Heardman and Jamie Sterry saw them trail 3-2 with eight minutes left on the clock.
Heardman, back from an ankle injury, headed home a corner from fellow substitute Ben Kitchen in the 70th minute
And defender Sterry scored after forcing an error from Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
However, late strikes from McQueen, Tyreke Johnson and James Ward-Prowse killed off Newcastle’s hopes of a late equaliser.