Newcastle and Crystal Palace U21s reach Jersey Mike's Trophy knockout stage
Newcastle United and Crystal Palace under-21s advanced from their Jersey Mike's Trophy groups with narrow away wins, while Brighton's U21s were eliminated after a 6-0 defeat at Cambridge United.
Newcastle United and Crystal Palace both booked places in the knockout stages of the Jersey Mike's Trophy on Tuesday, with their under-21 sides winning away against League Two opposition. Kyran Thompson scored the only goal as Newcastle beat Rotherham United 1-0 in Northern Group C, a result that eliminated the Millers and sent the Magpies through alongside group leaders Bradford City.
In Southern Group E, David Angibeaud's winner gave Crystal Palace a 2-1 victory at Newport County. The result guarantees the Premier League club's youngsters will progress from the group alongside Plymouth Argyle.
Brighton & Hove Albion's under-21s had a far less successful evening, losing 6-0 at League One Cambridge United in Southern Group G. Over-age Seagulls player Ben Barclay was sent off for deliberate handball in the first half, and Isaac Heath converted the resulting penalty. Cambridge then scored five more goals in the following half-hour while playing against ten men.
Callum Stead scored twice for Cambridge, who made it three wins from three in the competition to finish top of the group and end Brighton's involvement. In Tuesday's other fixture, Doncaster Rovers won 4-1 at Rochdale in Northern Group H, a result that eliminated both the hosts and Liverpool's under-21 side, which can now finish no higher than third in the pool.
The Jersey Mike's Trophy pits under-21 teams from Premier League and Championship clubs against senior sides from League One and League Two, with the results deciding which teams advance to the knockout rounds.
Image: Shutterstock / BBC Sport
