U21 Preview: Newcastle vs Saints

THE MATCH
Newcastle vs Saints
Premier League 2
Newcastle United Academy
Sunday 13th August, 12:30pm

Saints make their longest journey of the season for the first outing of the restructured Premier League 2 division, and will be looking to build on a successful 2022/23 campaign.

During pre-season, the youngsters played a host of senior men's sides with notable victories over Northampton Town and Torquay United.

There has been further vital experience for many of last season's standout performers, with several players training and playing for the senior team under the watch of Russell Martin and his staff.

Jayden Meghoma and Tyler Dibling both made their professional debuts in the Carabao Cup earlier in the week, alongside further cameos for Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Kamari Doyle as Saints' talented youngsters will look to balance the PL2 season with potential first team opportunities.

Kamari Doyle in action during pre-season (Photo: Chris Moorhouse)

Newcastle head into the new campaign after an eighth place finish in Premier League 2 Division 2 last time out, before this season's restructure.

The Magpies have also featured a handful of youngsters in their first team's pre-season schedule, as 19-year-old forward Michael Ndiweni made his first appearance for the senior side in a trip to Gateshead.

The likes of Remi Savage, Jamie Miley, Ben Parkinson and Charlie Wiggett have also gained minutes during pre-season friendlies, including at the Premier League Summer Series fixtures in America where 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley impressed in particular.

PREVIOUS MEETING

In the last meeting during the 2022/23 season, a ruthless Saints side were 4-1 winners over the young Magpies at Staplewood.

Four goals from four different scorers - Lewis Payne, Dom Ballard, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, and Kamari Doyle - sealed an impressive victory as the youngsters entered the new year with their sights set on a title fight.

PLAYERS PREVIEW

Tyler Dibling, who has enjoyed a positive pre-season that culminated in his professional debut with the first team in the Carabao Cup, spoke ahead of Saints' PL2 curtain-raiser.

"It's obviously good because we're in a better league now, we just need to prove that we can play in this big league and hopefully we can compete again.

"[Newcastle] will be a good game and it's good to get the long journey out of the way first, we have a good squad so hopefully we can get the win."