Five-star Cherries steal the show at St James’ Park

The under-18s delivered a sensational display to progress to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup with a 5-0 triumph over Newcastle United.

The Cherries led inside a minute at St James’ Park as Ash Clarke bagged his third FA Youth Cup goal of the season.

Having raced through the Toon defence, the striker kept his cool and slotted under the onrushing Adam Harrison to give James Lowy’s team the lead.

Following the quick start, the game settled for the next 25 minutes before either side threatened again.

Striker Sean Neave muscled his way in behind the Bournemouth defence with a powerful run to force that chance, but the finish was lacking as he curled his shot wide of Mack Allan’s far post from close range.

Newcastle were then made to pay for their missed opportunity, with Jonny Stuttle doubling the Cherries’ advantage just minutes later.

A long ball forward saw the strong frontman shrug off his nearest defender and hammer an unstoppable shot home from the edge of the Toon box.

Ten minutes on and the under-18s were three goals to the good through right-back Jack Holman.

Stepping up to a free-kick 25 yards out, the defender drilled a powerful shot through the Magpies wall and in.

Before the half was out Lowy’s team made it four, this time Remy Rees-Dottin was fouled by Harrison in the box and Stuttle calmly converted the resulting spot-kick.

Cherries then continued the second half as they had ended the first by quickly grabbing a fifth. 

The evening’s first two scorers linked up perfectly for the goal as Clarke drove forward before slipping Stuttle through.

Taking the ball in his stride well, the latter slid a low left-footed strike across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner to secure his hat-trick.

A rare chance for the Toon then came midway through the second 45-minute period as Mack Allan was called into action for the first time.

Trevan Sanusi smartly beat two Bournemouth defenders before curling a shot towards the far corner only for Allan to make an impressive diving stop and push the ball away.

That proved the half’s only real chance for the Toon as the Cherries comfortably saw out a memorable victory at St James’ Park.

The team’s heroics has secured a fifth-round tie away to Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle United: Harrison, R. Powell, Charlton, H. Powell, Craggs, Bailey, Emerson, Hernes, Neave, Palmer, Samusi.

Subs: Janusz, Shahar, Watts, Milmore, Munda, Ferreira, Wooster.

AFC Bournemouth: Allan, Holman, Morgan, Gregory, William, Williams, Salmon, Osborne, Stuttle, Clarke, Rees-Dottin.

Subs: Crisp, Whitehead, Carroll, Kasukumya, Sills, Day, Seeley.