The young Magpies took an early lead at the ARMCO Arena courtesy of Alfie Seldon's strike, the 16-year-old's first competitive goal at second-string level, before Ben Wodskou's close-range header levelled the Group C clash at the break.
Flynn Coffey's composed finish proved the difference in a tight encounter as Newcastle's youngsters, unable to advance into the competition's quarter-final stages following defeats against Tamworth and Boreham Wood, conclude their cup campaign away at Hartlepool United on Tuesday, 13th October (kick-off 7pm BST).
It took just four minutes for Newcastle's youngsters to find a breakthrough following Seldon's confident finish.
After Henry Johnson's teasing pass caused confusion amongst the Moors backline, with Jevon Mills heading the ball into Afner Cá's path, the Magpies striker's shot from an acute angle struck the base of the right-hand post but the ball landed kindly into Seldon's path, who lifted a first-time effort into the roof of the net.
Seldon, making his third start at Under-21 level, was unable to double his and United's lead shortly after as the left winger, who has scored four goals in his opening five games at Under-18 level, latched onto Cá's pass inside the box after Scott Bailey regained possession on the edge of the box, but dragged a low effort wide of the target.
Solihull, situated in the relegation zone of the English fifth tier, equalised in the 37th minute following Wodskou's header. After the Magpies defence were unable to clear their lines from a corner, Mills nodded the ball across the face of goal into Wodskou's path, who guided a firm header beyond Newcastle goalkeeper George Mair.
Newcastle almost regained their lead in unusual fashion as Seldon's in-swinging corner from the right flank forced Ford into tipping the ball over his own crossbar.
Jayden Kouossu, handed his first start for Newcastle's Under-21s, was unable to score before half-time as the central midfielder, who joined the Magpies' Academy from West Bromwich Albion as a 14-year-old, saw an audacious strike from distance fly into the arms of Nat Ford.
Newcastle aimed to restore their one-goal cushion in the early stages of the second half as Matheos Ferreira's inviting cross forced Carter Pinnington into turning the ball out for a corner.
In the 55th minute, Newcastle were dealt a tough blow as Coffey scored for Solihull. After Elias Kachunga managed to break away from Miodrag Pivaš on the right wing, the former DR Congo international picked out Coffey inside the box, who slotted a clinical effort into the bottom left-hand corner.
Cá, who joined the Magpies' Academy last summer following the expiry of his contract at La Liga side Levante, almost equalised in swift fashion as the Guinea-Bissau striker completed a tricky run from his own half before his bending effort flew wide of the left-hand post.
Kyle Fitzgerald, who joined Newcastle's youth set-up from hometown club Galway United in February 2025, almost marked his introduction from the substitutes' bench with a goal as the Irish forward darted into the penalty area before lashing a fierce effort into the side-netting.
United's youngsters continued their pursuit of a late leveller as Cá completed a bright run before unleashing a shot at goal, forcing Ford into getting down quickly to push the ball away from danger.
Newcastle United Under-21s: George Mair, Logan Watts, Dylan Charlton, Luke Craggs, Miodrag Pivaš (Sam Alabi 73), Scott Bailey (c), Henry Johnson (Isaac Moran 82), Jayden Kouossu (Fraser Harper 73), Afner Cá, Matheos Ferreira (Kyle Fitzgerald 62), Alfie Seldon (Johnny Emerson 62).
Subs not used: Tyler Jones, Guy Bloomer.
Photograph courtesy of Dickie King (Solihull Moors Football Club)
