Town's under-18 side went down by three goals at the hands of an impressive Newcastle United XI at Tyneside on Saturday morning.

Graham Mitchell employed his customary 4-3-3 formation at the start of the game, but the eleven players named had an unfamiliar look about them with three over-age players included for match fitness purposes; first-team squad members Mitchell Bailey, Luke Malcher and Lucas Akins.

120 minutes of FA Youth Cup football on Thursday evening had taken its toll on many players and so Mitchell rested several for the game. With 'keeper Alex Smithies away with the first-team at Accrington Stanley, Town loaned Sheffield Wednesday's Aaron Jameson for the seventh time this season and he lined up in goal behind a back four of Liam Ridehalgh, Spencer Harris, Leigh Franks and Jack Hunt. Bailey and Malcher partnered Luke Williams in the midfield three behind strikers Akins, Chris Pert and Danny Barlow.

Hosts Newcastle showed a lot of quality in the final third and were actually four goals to the good before Town scored a late consolation. The score was 2-0 by the half-time interval and 4-0 as the 90 minutes came to a close, but the young Terriers grabbed a goal 30 seconds into added time when Jack Hunt (pictured) headed home a free-kick from around four yards out.

Despite the defeat, former Town centre-back Mitchell was pleased with his week's work following the progression to the second round of the FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON.

"To be honest, we could have done without this game after playing 120 minutes two days previously," Mitchell explained to htafc.com. "We actually played better than we did against Hartlepool on Thursday, but Newcastle had a lot of quality in the final third of the pitch."

The second round game at Tranmere Rovers will be played on Wednesday November 21^st, kick-off 7pm, and Mitchell is confident that his side will progress in what promises to be a tough game.

"We're all very pleased to be in the second round of the Cup. We know a bit around Tranmere as we played them in pre-season but in the same way they have had a look at us too. It will be as difficult for us as the Hartlepool game was, but if we perform we can beat anyone. There were a few nerves out there on Thursday and the experience will have done several players a lot of good."

Town's Team:

Aaron Jameson, Jack Hunt, Liam Ridehalgh, Luke Williams, Spencer Harris, Leigh Franks, Chris Pert (Dave Heagney 55), Mitchell Bailey, Danny Barlow (Daniel Broadbent 55), Lucas Akins (Luke Durham 55), Luke Malcher

The Town first-team play their next home game on November 24th when Leyton Orient come to the Galpharm; click HERE to buy tickets online now!