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Sunderland v Newcastle PL2 derby will now be played behind closed doors and public not admitted

5 years ago
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News on Monday morning that the Sunderland v Newcastle Premier League 2 derby has been moved.

An official Newcastle United announcement revealing that the reserve/Under 23 derby will now be played on Friday 4 January behind closed doors with the public not allowed in.

The game was originally scheduled for Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground on Monday 7 January but appears to have been moved due to the Checkatrade derby that will now take place on Tuesday 8 January at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland’s first team will take on a Newcastle United Under 21 side for a place in the last eight of the Checkatrade Trophy.

The much derided competition arguably never having seen a more contentious game in its history.

Competition rules state that the away team should get at least 10% of the stadium’s  capacity but Sunderland refused to do so.

Instead of the 4,900 Newcastle were entitled to, Sunderland only supplied 2,800 tickets which were quickly snapped up, despite Sunderland raising the prices from their usual £3 Checkatrade Trophy price for home matches, up to £15 instead for the game against Newcastle’s  kids.

Newcastle United have asked for more tickets but still no news on whether Sunderland will relent and supply them.

As for the Premier League 2 clash now moved Friday 4 January, Newcastle’s Under 23s will hope to complete a derby double having crushed their rivals 5-0 earlier in the season at St James Park.

Elias Sorensen scored his first goal of the season in that game and now stands on 18 goals in all competitions, with fans waiting to see if a loan move will happen in January to allow him first team football at a higher level.

Newcastle’s  second string have done a little better this season but are still only sixth of twelve teams in Division 2 of Premier League 2, the likes of Reading and Villa’s reserve teams are still above them, whilst Sunderland are rock bottom with only five points, seven adrift of second bottom.

Newcastle United official announcement:

‘Newcastle United’s Premier League 2 derby at Sunderland has a new date and venue.

The young Magpies were due to face their Black Cats counterparts at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground on Monday, 7th January 2019.

But Newcastle’s second-string have been drawn against Sunderland’s first team in the Checkatrade Trophy – kick-off at the Stadium of Light is 7.45pm (GMT) on Tuesday, 8th January – so the Premier League 2 fixture has now been brought forward.

It will now be played at 1pm (GMT) on Friday, 4th January. The venue will be Sunderland’s Academy of Light training ground, with no public admission.

The Magpies were 5-0 winners when the two sides met at St. James’ Park in August.

For clarification, the Checkatrade Trophy tie between Sunderland’s first team and Newcastle’s under-21 side remains at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, 8th January with a 7.45pm (GMT) kick-off.’

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