Tomorrow night sees Newcastle United’s Under-21 team visit the Alexandra Stadium as both teams play their second game in the EFL Trophy. The Alex won 3-2 at Bolton Wanderers at the start of the month while the young Magpies lost 3-0 at Shrewsbury Town last Tuesday.
Last Season:
Last season saw their Under-23s play 18 games in the Premier League 2 season before it was cancelled with them winning 8 games, drawing once and losing 9 times.
They would lose all 3 of their EFL Trophy games last season, 2-1 defeats at Macclesfield Town and Port Vale either side of a 3-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town.
This season:
They have played 3 games so far this season, a 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough and a 3-1 defeat at Burnley in the Premier League 2 season so far either side of their opening EFL Trophy game at Shrewsbury Town last Tuesday.
Transfers:
Newcastle have signed one player for their Under-21s as midfielder Niall Brookwell joined the club from Liverpool following his release from the Premier League champions
5 players have left the club this summer from their Under-23 squad permanently, including former Alex loanee Jamie Sterry, while 4 of their Under-23s have joined Football League clubs on loan.
Head-to-Head:
The figures in brackets are games against both Newcastle’s first team and the Under-21 team in the EFL Trophy.
Alex Wins: 0 (2 overall)
Newcastle Wins: 1 (6 overall)
Draws: 0 (1 overall)
Biggest Alex Win: 3-0 at Gresty Road in January 1896
Biggest Newcastle Win: 6-0 at St James’ Park in December 1895
Last Meeting:
Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Newcastle United Under-21s, 29th August 2017
Former Alex loanee Liam Smith opened the scoring in the 4th minute before an Eddie Nolan own goal doubled the lead midway through the second half, Jordan Bowery would score the consolation a couple of minutes from time.
Alex: Garratt; Ng, Sass-Davies, Nolan, Bakayago; Lowery (Wintle 70), Walker, Ainley; Cooper (Reilly 89), Bowery, Kirk (Dale 69)
Newcastle: Woolston; Sterry (O’Connor 72), Cameron, Gillesphey, Good; Barlaser, Hunter, L. Smith; Roberts (Sangare 67), Charman, Fernandez (C. Smith 46)
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: Jerry Lowery
Defenders: Peter Johnson, Jimmy McKechnie, Jamie Sterry
Midfielders: Daniel Barlaser, Stuart Green, Brad Inman, Stan Keery, Liam Smith, Nigel Walker
Forwards: David Boyle, Bryan Conlon, Wyn Davies, John McGuigan, Billy Whitehurst, Calvin Zola
Officials:
The officials for this game have been announced here with Robert Lewis the referee, Oliver Bickle and Mark Cunliffe are his assistants with Aaron Jackson the fourth official. Here is the only Crewe game that has been refereed by Lewis in the previous 5 years:
- Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Carlisle United (26th December 2016) – Cooper
