'We got the job done' - Heffernan on Stoke success

United's second-string netted twice in the opening 11 minutes at the bet365 Stadium courtesy of quick-fire strikes from Dylan Stephenson and Kyle Crossley, a late inclusion to the starting XI following Jay Turner-Cooke's illness in the warm-up, before Jack Griffith's close-range finish before the half-hour mark halved the deficit for the hosts.

Stoke were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time as City goalkeeper Tommy Simkin received a straight red card, bringing down Stephenson on the edge of the box, before Potters skipper Jaden Dixon was dismissed in the second-half following an off-the-ball incident with the Blyth-born striker before United's youngsters saw out the game to prevail in Staffordshire.

Heffernan, a representative of Republic of Ireland at under-19 level, told newcastleunited.com: "We got off to a really fast start after scoring twice which brought us into the game. When they scored, it dropped our confidence a small bit but I think once they got a man sent off, we gained our confidence back and we settled down and into the game well.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't get more goals with the advantage we had but we got the job done which is all that mattered.

"Even when they were down to nine men, you have to make sure your decision making is right because, at any moment, if you give them the smallest bit of a chance to create, they can score so we made sure we were switched on, moving the ball so they couldn't have it and I thought we managed that well tonight.

"Scoring one after the other is always good and even though we didn't manage to score more to kill the game off, we we were able to get the win."

Following their triumph over the Potters' second-string, Heffernan is aiming for the young Magpies to conclude their 2023/24 Premier League 2 campaign in positive fashion when hosting Aston Villa on Monday, 29th April at St. James' Park (kick-off 7pm BST).

The Irish defender, who joined United last summer following his departure from AC Milan, is relishing a maiden outing under the lights of the Magpies' home ground as well as celebrating his birthday this weekend.

The teenage centre-back, who made his senior debut for hometown club Cork City at the age of 16, added: "I don't know if I want to keep getting older! Turning 19 is good and although it would've been nice to score tonight, hopefully I can score against Aston Villa on Monday.

"I actually can't wait as this is going to be my first time playing at St. James' Park. I don't know about the other lads but I'm definitely buzzing! Everyone will be looking forward to it as it's the first time we will be playing at the stadium this season so I think we're in for a big performance."