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"It would be a great present!" - Bondswell eyeing early birthday cheer
Newcastle United Under-21s host their Norwich City counterparts in the Premier League 2 on Monday afternoon (kick-off 1pm BST), with Matt Bondswell determined to record maximum points on the eve of his 21st birthday.
The young Magpies face the Canaries’ second-string at United’s Little Benton Academy aiming for maximum points in their final Premier League 2 fixture on home soil this season.
Bondswell, who featured for the Magpies’ first-team during pre-season friendlies against Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Club this term, is hopeful Newcastle’s youngsters can end their campaign on a high after claiming a first clean sheet since August following a goalless draw against Middlesbrough last week.
The Nottingham-born left back told nufc.co.uk: “We’re looking forward to it from a perspective where we want to really show what we’re about. We’re not playing for anything, so to speak, in terms of league position but we’ve made it a big point in making sure our season doesn’t faze out. We’re determined to get a good result and performance.
“The clean sheet (against Middlesbrough) was massive for us, especially for the defenders and goalkeeper because it’s something that has been lacking over the last few games.
"We put a lot of work in into the training week before we played Boro and it was a big focus to try and keep a clean sheet. When you do keep clean sheets, it makes attempting to win games a lot easier.”
Bondswell, who joined the Magpies’ youth set-up in March 2021 following his departure from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, will have added impetus to prevail against the Norfolk-based outfit as the former England under-18 international celebrates his 21st birthday on Tuesday.
With two games remaining in the Premier League 2 campaign for Newcastle’s second-string, the attacking full-back revealed the need for a much-needed three points following a winless league run of ten matches.
The 20-year-old added: “It would be a great present! The main focus will be the game on Monday and if can get a win, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it that little bit more.
“We want to have good performances in these last two league games, one of them being at home. We’re professional footballers and have to do our job which is playing well when we get the opportunity to. There’s been a big emphasis on what we’re trying to achieve from these last two games.
“At the same time, our form hasn’t been great and we want to win games so that’s our aim for the next two matches. It’s been frustrating and something that no one is proud of and content with how we’ve been these last few games with a winless run. On the other hand, we’re all determined to end that and get a result, which we feel isn’t far away."