Newcastle United Under-18s 3 Leicester City Under-18s 2 | OneFootball

The Toon teenagers led before the half-time break at the Magpies' Little Benton Academy courtesy of Sammy Pinnington's strike before Alex O'Donovan's emphatic finish before the hour mark doubled the hosts' lead.

Lorenz Hutchinson's header halved the deficit for City before Mohamed Waddani, who had recorded two assists, restored United's two-goal cushion and despite Luqman Aideed's late effort, the Magpies prevailed in a five-goal encounter, which saw Leicester reduced to nine men in stoppage-time after red cards from Alpha Diallo and David Aungo.

Four changes were made from Saturday's 2-0 away win against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Under-18 Premier League North as Kacey Wooster, who made his debut for Newcastle's under-21s in Friday's Premier League 2 defeat against Chelsea, led the line while 16-year-old defender Isaac Moran, who joined United from Liverpool this summer, was handed his debut for the club at under-18 level.

Newcastle took the lead in the 32nd minute as Pinnington completed a neat attacking move. After Sam Alabi threaded a neat pass into Waddani's path, the Libya Under-20 international slipped the ball into the box before Pinnington, who joined the Magpies from Luton Town in the summer of 2023, slotted a low effort into the left-hand corner.

United survived an early attack from their Foxes counterparts after the restart as Alfie Dignum's header struck the post following William Daniels' teasing in-swinging corner.

The young Magpies doubled their advantage through O'Donovan in the 57th minute as the attacking midfielder collected Waddani's pass inside the penalty area before slamming a ferocious effort into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Hopes of a third successive clean sheet in all competitions were dashed for Magpies goalkeeper George Mair as Hutchinson pulled a goal back for City in the 67th minute, with the Foxes captain rising high to head the ball across the goal line despite Mair's attempts to claw the ball away.

Newcastle, however, regained their two-goal cushion four minutes later through Waddani. After O'Donovan's corner was headed towards goal by Magpies captain Henry Johnson, Waddani was on hand to steer a close-range volley into the net.

A nervy finale followed as Aideed scored for Leicester in the 84th minute, firing the ball home from Bismark Owusu's inviting cross via the underside of the bar.

With the full-time whistle approaching, the cup contest ended in unsavoury fashion as Diallo was sent off after a dangerous challenge on substitute Oliver Goodbrand, prompting a brawl between the two sides which also saw City substitute Anugo receive his marching orders.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Goerge Mair, Jack Patterson, Isaac Moran (Thomas Old 46), Henry Johnson (c), Noah Morgan, Sam Alabi, Kayden Lucas, Alex O'Donovan (Oliver Goodbrand 72), Sammy Pinnington (Ethan Ndiweni 75), Mohamed Waddani, Kacey Wooster (Alfie Hutchison 72).

Subs not used: Oliver Holland.