Lee Clark’s son sent off as young Newcastle hotshot makes it 10 in 12 but Liverpool still win | OneFootball

Liverpool played host to Newcastle United’s Academy team on Saturday.

An interesting and eventful match that saw Bobby Clark (son of former NUFC star Lee) up against his former teammates for the first time, the 16 year old having walked away from Newcastle in August.

Then rated one of Newcastle United’s best prospects, Bobby Clark was upstaged by another NUFC young player now making his name.

Michael Ndiweni has been in great form and on 26 minutes put Newcastle United into the lead, scoring his tenth goal in twelve games so far this season, taking advantage after Liverpool didn’t clear a set-piece.

With the failure to properly invest in the NUFC Academy one of the (many!) top priorities for the new Newcastle United owners to address and the Under 18s struggling yet again, this looked for a long time as if it could be a result to lift the spirits.

However, three late goals in a 15 minute spell turned the game on its head, Liverpool equalising in the 69th minute and by 84 minutes it was 3-1 to the home side.

This means that Newcastle United Under 18s extend their run to seven league matches without a win.

The action wasn’t over though, as following the Liverpool comeback, Bobby Clark managed two late bookings and was sent off in added time.

Newcastle United:

(M) Thompson, Stewart, Beresford, (C) Thompson, Barclay, Stanton (Donaldson 77), Huntley, Turner-Cooke, Crossley, (J) Miley, Ndiweni

This now leaves the Under 18s (North) League table looking like this:

As you can see, only two wins for Newcastle all season at Academy level and only Championship Forest keeping them off rock bottom, plus they have two games in hand.

For outsiders, it is difficult to get across just what a mess Mike Ashley has left behind, a horrific 14+ years at Newcastle United where he refused to allow any proper investment in the infrastructure, leaving a shell of a club that needs so much care and attention after a decade and a half of neglect.

The kind of neglect that meant even the son of a former NUFC cult hero wanted out at the age of 16.

On making the move from Tyneside to Merseyside, Bobby Clark posted this message on social media to his (now) old club – 27 August 2021:

“Thank you to all the staff and my teammates at Newcastle United for an incredible 7 years and everything you’ve done to guide me to where I am today.

“You’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

“Looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together! #YNWA “