A 5-1 scoreline always gives the impression of a one-sided game, but this was far from the case at Storthes Hall on Saturday morning as Town's under-18 side were more than a match for their Newcastle counterparts for a large proportion of the game.

Graham Mitchell had to field a young side with Alex Smithies and Shane Killock on first-team duty and a combination of injury and illness keeping out Spencer Harris, Jack Hunt, Liam Ridehalgh, Danny Barlow and Dave Heagney. The former Town centre-back gave three under-16 players time on the pitch but his side performed admirably, the scoreline staying 1-0 to the visitors until the 72nd minute before Newcastle netted three times in the last ten minutes to give the scoreline an unfair look.

Recently signed under-16 goalkeeper Damian Eastham played in goal due to Smithies' absence and he was protected by a back four of Dave Pickering, Leigh Franks, Daniel Codman and left-back Tom Jackson. Town played three in midfield - Luke Williams, Lewis Collinson and Lewis Nightingale - with Curtis Roberts and Stephen Brook either side of skipper Daniel Broadbent up front.

Town went a goal down against the run of play after 20 minutes when a ball over the top caught the defence napping, leaving a Newcastle striker to finish past Eastham when one on one, but played well throughout the rest of the half and for the majority of the second. In fact, it was in the 72nd minute that the visitors extended their lead and even then they were helped by the fact that the Terriers were down to ten men at the time, with centre-back Codman receiving treatment on the sidelines.

Tom Jackson (pictured above) scored in the 75th minute to reduce the arrears when he headed home a Dave Pickering corner, but Newcastle put the game beyond doubt in the 81st minute with a third goal. Pickering was a virtual passenger by this point having picked up an injury, but Mitchell had already used up his three substitutions; the Magpies took full advantage, scoring two more goals in the five minutes of added time as the game finished 5-1.

Despite the result, Mitchell was fairly pleased with the performance of his team.

"The scoreline was unfair on us, as we more than matched them for the majority of the game," Graham explained.

"We had quite a few players missing through injury and illness, but it was good that we could give three under-16 players match time at this level and it was an under-18 debut for defender Josh McLean.

"Newcastle fielded a strong side, but the experience should stand all the players in good stead and I hope it will be good for them going forward."

The under-18s now face a tough trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday; check htafc.com on Monday morning for a full match report!

Town's first-team fixture against Gillingham this Saturday (kick-off 3pm) is £5 in for all age groups - click HERE for more details!