Newcastle United Under-21s drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s in their final game of the regular Premier League 2 season at Whitley Park.
Wolves took the lead through Conor McLeod, before the in-form Sean Neave equalised for the young Magpies.
While the Under-21s have suffered a dip in form this season, they have continued the progress made in recent years.
Newcastle are 20th in the Premier League 2 table, and will play in the Professional Development League play-offs.
Their opponents will be confirmed soon.
Key Moments
Newcastle are in mixed form, having won two and drawn two of their last five matches.
Boss Robbie Stockdale made six changes from their last game, a 3-1 win over Manchester United Under-21s.
He brought Alex Murphy and Logan Watts in for Dylan Charlton and Scott Bailey. Bailey served the first of a two-match suspension last night.
In a fast start for both teams, Wolves took the lead in the 15th minute through McLeod.
Defender Dexter Lembikisa’s shot was parried by Magpies goalkeeper Aidan Harris, but striker Tom Edozie picked up the loose ball.
His blocked volley fell to McLeod, who made no mistake with a shot into the top corner.
Wolves couldn’t capitalise on the lead, however, and they were rueing their missed chances when Neave equalised in the 33rd minute.
Midfielder Rory Finneran’s shot at goal was blocked and collected by Neave, who fired it past Wolves goalkeeper Alfie Brooks.
It was Neave’s eighth goal in seven league matches.
In the second half, both sides had opportunities, but neither could convert.
Defender Miodrag Pivaš, striker Anthony Munda, and Neave all went close for the hosts, but the Wolves defence kept them out.
The draw means that Newcastle stay one place above their opponents in the PL2 table.
Improvement Continues for Under-21s
The form of the Under-21 side has improved in recent years.
In 2025, they reached the Premier League 2 play-offs by finishing 9th in the PL2 table, but lost 2-1 to Arsenal Under-21s.
They struggled in the bottom section of the PL2 table for a long time, but since the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle they have qualified more regularly for the play-offs.
This is down to better links between the academy and the first team, something which didn’t happen much pre-takeover.
Players like Neave and Murphy have made their senior debuts, and academy graduates Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson have gone on to become established Premier League stars.
If the Under-21s continue on their current trajectory, there is no reason why other players from the team can’t make the step up.
Caroline Dowse
Aspiring football journalist, and Newcastle United fan, although I also write about Peterborough United. I write for Vital Football and The Lower Tiers, and I live just outside Peterborough with two bossy cats