Castle claim three points on their travels

Matchday nine saw the NPL Football Academy's players in action in just one game after the eagerly anticipated top of the table clash between Romulus and Mickleover Sports was postponed due to the snow.

The surviving NPL Youth League fixture took place at Stainton Park with Radcliffe Borough and Newcastle Town combining for what turn out to be a fantastic game that was won 4-2 by the visitors.

Newcastle took the lead after 20 minutes through their top goalscorer Sam Arnold. He latched onto a through ball and slotted the ball past Andy Brown in the Radcliffe goal.

They doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Ben Thomas' long range shot was too powerful for Brown to hold and squirmed in to give the visitors a two goal advantage at half-time.

In the second half, both teams continued to play good football and on 64 minutes Arnold grabbed his second and his team's third of the game to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.

Radcliffe had other ideas and straight from kick off won a free kick 25 yards out. Centre half Andy Brennan duly stepped up to let rip a rocket into the top corner to reduce the deficit.

Radcliffe continued to press and were rewarded in the 84th minute with a penalty, Ben Oldroyd converting with six minutes left.

Heartbreak was to follow for the hosts though. While pushing for an equaliser they were exposed at the back and substitute Brandon Payne jinked his way through the Boro defence to win it for the Staffordshire visitors.

NPL Youth League Results - Wednesday 14 January

Radcliffe Borough 2
Scorers: Andy Brennan 65, Ben Oldroyd 84
Team: Brown, Hayes, Granner, Hodkinson, Brennan, Daniels, Duncombe, Henshall, Dias, Oldroyd, Jones
Subs: Taylor, Elamin, Mbye

Newcastle Town 4
Scorers: Sam Arnold 20, 64, Ben Thomas 35, Brandon Payne 90
Teams: M.Halliwell, Bowers, E.Halliwell, Whiston, Smith, Need, Allerton, Rowe, Arnold, Foster, Thomas
Subs: Nutting, Oakley, Payne

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* The EVO-STIK NPL is the first league in English football to launch a youth league and academy combining football with further education.

The NPLFA opened its doors to its first intake of students in September at five pilot clubs - Leek Town, Mickleover Sports, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Romulus - after being officially sanctioned by the Football Association in May.

The initial pilot programme sees up to 20 students aged 16-18 studying for a BTEC Level 3 in Sport on two year courses at each club while working with FA licensed coaches on a daily basis. As well as competing in the new EVO-STIK NPL Youth League, they also play in national competitions led by the FA Youth Cup.

Three more clubs, Witton Albion, Lancaster City and Belper Town, have already signed up for next season since the start of the current campaign with the NPLFA set to continue expanding and welcoming more clubs on board.

Follow the new academy's progress at nplfa.co.uk, twitter.com/NPLFA and at facebook.com/NPLFA.

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