Newcastle United Under-21s 2 Northern Ireland Under-19s 1 | OneFootball

The promising forward, returning from a lengthy hamstring injury sustained after joining the Magpies on his 18th birthday in August 2025, opened the scoring with a close-range tap-in before the visitors levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Newcastle restored their lead in the closing stages following Joe Brayson's effort and despite Matheos Ferreira missing a penalty in the final minutes, the young Magpies prevailed in the friendly clash.

Salia, who agreed to join Newcastle from Dinamo Tbilisi in his native homeland, combined neatly with Brayson in the opening stages before the latter drilled a fierce half-volley wide of the left-hand post.

In the 34th minute, United's youngsters took the lead through Salia. After Darren Palmer fired a diagonal pass into Michael Mill's path, the 17-year-old winger placed an inviting low cross into Salia's path before the Georgia Under-21 international, who played the opening 45 minutes, fired a first-time effort into the net inside the six-yard area.

Newcastle's second-string headed into the break on level in the 43rd minute as a lofted ball in behind the United backline caused danger and after Logan Watts' unfortunate slip, the Northern Ireland attacker placed the ball into the right-hand corner.

Brayson, who recently carried out a brief loan spell at Morpeth Town, was denied shortly after the hour mark after racing onto Baran Yildiz's pass before the Walker-born striker, son of former Magpies forward Paul, saw a low effort blocked by the visiting goalkeeper.

Newcastle were awarded a penalty in the final stages as Magpies substitute Guy Bloomer regained possession in a high position before the full-back's cross struck an arm inside the box.

Matheos Ferreira, who scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 Premier League 2 win against Aston Villa last month, was denied from 12 yards as the Ashington-born forward's spot-kick was held by the Northern Ireland goalkeeper, who guessed the correct way.

Newcastle United Under-21s resume their Premier League 2 campaign on Monday, 9th March when facing an away clash against Leicester City at the Foxes' Training Ground [kick-off 7pm GMT].

Newcastle United Under-21s: Adam Harrison, Mason Miley (Aaron Epia 46), Logan Watts, Miodrag Pivaš (c) (Isaac Moran 46), Henry Johnson (Guy Bloomer 60), Fraser Harper, Darren Palmer (Anthony Munda 80), Baran Yildiz, Vakhtang Salia (Kyle Fitzgerald 46), Joe Brayson (Scott Bailey 80), Michael Mills (Matheos Ferreira 60).

Subs not used: Tyler Jones, Rory Finneran, Ciaran Thompson.