The Toon teenagers, who finished in third place last season, fell behind before the half-hour mark at the Magpies' Little Benton Academy following Euan Griffith's strike.

Newcastle's youngsters, however, drew level before the hour mark courtesy of Alfie Hutchison, who joined United from Scottish Premiership side Rangers in July 2025.

Sixteen year-old winger Alfie Seldon, who scored nine league goals at U18 level last term, fired the hosts into the lead before Theo Benjamin, son of former Cambridge United and Leicester City striker Trevor, ensured maximum points in the final stages with his first competitive goal at U18 level.

There was also a Magpies debut for 16-year-old full-back Kyle Healy-Matthews, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from West Ham United this summer.

Chris Moore's side return to league action on Saturday 22 August when welcoming their Stoke City counterparts to Tyneside (kick-off 11am BST).

Newcastle United Under-18s: Roman Dowell, Jack Patterson (Kyle Healy-Matthews 39), Oliver Goodbrand (Jack Skelton 81), Sam Alabi, Thomas Old, Noah Morgan (c), Muawiya Ghanem (Ethan Ndiweni 74), Jayden Kouossu (Chukwudi Afumuzor 73), Alfie Hutchison, Charlie Robinson (Theo Benjamin 82), Alfie Seldon.

Subs not used: Oliver Holland.