Spurs' starlets were very impressive against the young Magpies
Adam Lawrence refused to be too critical of his Newcastle United Under-21s side after they suffered a 4-1 home defeat against Premier League 2 rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Magpies youngsters almost fell behind inside the opening two minutes as Spurs livewire winger Tynan Thompson struck the crossbar with a powerful rising effort.
However, there was to be no let-off just before the midway point of the first half as the impressive Lucas Williams-Barnett found space on the edge of the area and crashed a low drive beyond Max Thompson and inside his far post.
Magpies captain Cathal Heffernan got his side back on level terms five minutes before half-time with a fine header as the back post as the Republic of Ireland youth international got on the end of an Alfie Harrison free-kick
Spurs restored their lead inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half and it was that man Williams-Barnett once again as the England Under-18 international surpassed his earlier effort with a stunning strike from the edge of the area. The visitors added to their lead in spectacular fashion as the final 10 minutes approached as former Portsmouth and Oxford United loan signing Dane Scarlett whipped a free-kick over the wall and past the helpers Thompson.
Salt was rubbed into the Magpies wounds moments later when Thompson made it third time lucky after striking the woodwork in each half with a neat finish from just inside the area.
That was enough to round off a challenging day for the United youngsters and one that Lawrence hopes can provide something of a learning curve for his squad.
He told Chronicle Live: “There were definitely positives and we came up against a really good Tottenham team, individually and collectively. I think for 60 minutes the lads have been competitive, stayed in the game and more than played their part.
“At half-time we were well in the game and deserved to be level, maybe we even shaded it in terms of some of the opportunities we had. But ultimately, in terms of the contest, the second goal and the speed of their next two going in made it really tough for us.
“We spoke to the players, it’s very hard to be tough with them because of the spirit and endeavour they have shown and it’s probably just about managing that period after they got their second goal.
“There has to be some good learning from that. I can’t fault their application and putting into practice what we had worked on with the game plan.
“For two-thirds of the game, we carried a threat but Tottenham have individuals that can punish and hurt you and we have to do a little bit of work on when that momentum shifts and how we can stay in the game.”
The Magpies will now prepare to face senior opposition in their next two games as Wednesday’s National League Cup tie at Boston United is followed by a Vertu Trophy clash at Mansfield Town seven days later.
Newcastle United: Thompson, Shahar, Murphy, McArthur, Heffernan, Bailey, Harrison, Finneran, Wooster, Munda, Charlton Subs: Taylor, Pivas, Hartley, Waddini, Brayson