Newcastle United Under-18s 3 Leeds United Under-18s 3 | OneFootball

Wooster's penalty, his fifth goal in his last six starts at under-18 level, fired the Toon teenagers into an early lead at Whitley Park before the hosts found themselves on level terms before the half-hour mark following Oliver Boast's spot-kick.

The young Magpies fell behind within the opening two minutes of the restart following Sam Alker's fierce strike and despite Wooster equalising before the hour mark with his second penalty of the evening, Boast's close-range finish looked to have proved the difference for the visitors but Wooster claimed his hat-trick in the final seconds of stoppage-time to salvage a point.

Chris Moore made eight changes from the side which claimed a 3-1 away win against local rivals Sunderland last weekend as Trevan Sanusi, who made his professional debut for Eddie Howe's side during January's Emirates FA Cup third round win against Bromley, was handed a start in his recovery from an ankle injury while 15-year-old pair George Mair and Lesecond Yeutembip were both handed their full debuts at under-18 level.

The hosts took the lead in the eighth minute as Wooster, who joined the Magpies from Southend United in the summer of 2023, netted from the penalty spot. After Magpies left-back Jake Durrant was bundled over inside the penalty area, Wooster was on hand to dispatch the resulting spot-kick, stroking the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

Newcastle found themselves back on level terms in the 22nd minute as Boast equalised from 12 yards. After Yeutembip brought down Will Firth inside the box, Boast calmly slotted the penalty past Mair, sending the teenage 'keeper the wrong way in the process.

Mair, a representative of England at under-15 level, produced an important stop to prevent Leeds from taking the lead as Whites winger Carrick Njinko dangerously evaded a challenge inside the box but his low firm effort towards goal was held by the Magpies shot-stopper.

The young Magpies conceded in the 47th minute as Alker netted for the Whites, controlling the ball inside the box before drilling a vicious low effort into the bottom left-hand corner.

Newcastle ought to have levelled the clash in swift fashion through Matthew Taylor as the central midfielder arrived onto Kyle Fitzgerald's low pass but could only steer a first-time effort wide of the right-hand post.

The Toon teenagers, however, equalised in the 56th minute through Wooster's penalty. After Sanusi was tripped inside the box by Firth following neat footwork from the left winger, Wooster placed the attempt into the right-hand corner despite Leeds goalkeeper Alex Baird guessing the correct way.

Newcastle, though, fell behind for a second time as Boast netted his second goal of the evening in the 71st minute, arriving at the back post from Firth's teasing cross into the six-yard area before firing home from close-range.

Aaron Epia, introduced from the substitutes' bench in the latter stages, went close to making a goalscoring impact as the centre-back rose high from Matheos Ferreira's free-kick inside the penalty area but the 17-year-old defender's header was directed over the bar.

With eight minutes of stoppage-time awarded, Newcastle's youngsters pushed for a late leveller and, in the 98th minute, levelled for a second time as Wooster completed his hat-trick, managing to steer the ball into the net from close-range after a series of blocked shots inside a frantic penalty area.

United's youngsters will conclude their 2024/25 Under-18 Premier League North campaign on Saturday, 3rd May when hosting table toppers Manchester City at the Magpies' Little Benton Academy (kick-off 10.30am BST).

Newcastle United Under-18s: George Mair, Henry Johnson (c), Thomas Old, Lesecond Yeutembip (Aaron Epia 81), Jake Durrant, Rory Finneran, Matthew Taylor (Joe Brayson 77), Baran Yildiz (Alex O'Donovan 57), Kyle Fitzgerald, Trevan Sanusi (Matheos Ferreira 57), Kacey Wooster.

Subs not used: Tyler Jones.