Newcastle United Under-21s are gearing up for their first round tie against Newcastle Blue Star in the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup. The match, which will take place on Wednesday at Whitley Park, will see the young Magpies face off against the Northern League Division Two outfit.
Dylan Stephenson, who previously scored for the Magpies’ first-team during their impressive 5-0 victory against Al Hilal in the Diriyah Season Cup in Riyadh, is optimistic about their chances in the cup competition. The 20-year-old forward, who hails from Blyth, emphasised the team’s determination to secure a win and progress to the quarter-finals.
Stephenson stated, “Everyone is up for this game and it’s one we are looking forward to and want to win. We have drawn our last few games and lost on penalties against Port Vale, so we are looking to come out on top. As long as we play our own game, I think we will have a good chance of going through.”
Drawing from their previous experience, Stephenson emphasised the importance of not underestimating their opponents and approaching the match with the correct mindset. He acknowledged the quality within their squad but stressed the need to match the physicality of the opposition. Stephenson believes that if they can do this, they stand a good chance of progressing to the next round.
Having reached the Northumberland Senior Cup final in 2022, where they narrowly lost 3-2 to Blyth Spartans at St. James’ Park, Stephenson and his teammates are eager to make another positive run in the competition. With Newcastle’s youngsters having won the cup a record 38 times, they are determined to lift the trophy for the first time since 2018 when they emerged victorious with a 3-1 win against Morpeth Town.
Stephenson expressed his ambition, saying, “We want to go as far as possible in the competition and even win it. I think that would be really good for the team. We’re really determined, and it would be great to win a piece of silverware this season, both for the team and the club.”
Fans can look forward to witnessing the match at Whitley Park, with free admission for season ticket holders. For others, tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.
As the young Magpies prepare to take on Newcastle Blue Star, they are hopeful that a positive performance will pave their way to the next round of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup.
