The 21-year-old right-back, who joined Newcastle from West Ham United in January 2022, was heavily involved in the opening half-hour of the Premier League 2 clash after assisting Ryan Fraser’s curling strike before doubling the hosts’ advantage with an impressive drilled finish.
After featuring on a football pitch for the first time since November, Dawson admitted the full-back’s 62-minute spell against the Canaries’ reserve side, with Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe in attendance, was a positive one amongst his young peers.
Dawson told nufc.co.uk: “It was nice to see him out on the pitch. He’s come down to the Academy to get some minutes under his belt and he’s had a few issues since he’s moved up here with some minor injuries so I think it’s nice for everybody to be able to see him out on the pitch and contribute a professional performance.
“It’s always difficult for those lads that don’t train with us everyday to drop down and play but I think he gave a great account of himself and he was a good example for the young lads to follow.”
Newcastle’s youngsters had raced into a three-goal lead inside the opening 27 minutes as Diallo extended the hosts’ advantage following Fraser and Ashby’s eye-catching goals but Fin Welch’s brace, either side of Abu Kamara’s penalty before the half-time break, drew the Canaries level.
Lewis Miley’s impressive strike proved the difference, through, as the 16-year-old’s powerful first-time effort secured a first Premier League 2 victory since October.
Dawson added: “I thought we were terrific in the first 30 minutes. It was everything that the lads have been in training, and the bits the punters don’t see day-to-day, I think they got a taste of what they’re like when the lads are at it.
“We took our foot off the gas, Norwich got a kick up the backside because they were three-nil down and we let them back in it.
“At the start of the second-half, we wanted to come out and set the tempo but we let them get the first goal and it became like a basketball game, end to end, and Norwich had a bit to play for in terms of trying to make the play-offs but, luckily, we had a bit of quality that won the game late on for us.
“I’m really pleased for the lads. The work and effort that goes in behind the scenes, day-to-day, they’ve deserved that earlier than today so it’s nice for them that they have that winning feeling.
“I don’t think their character or resilience has ever been in question. The bit we have to remember is that they are young lads and they are learning the game. If they could perform and were consistent for 90 minutes, they would be with the first-team.
“You have to take that into account when you think about them making mistakes, errors and not being as consistent as you’d want but one thing they do is work hard and give you everything. As coaches and staff at the Academy, we can stomach that if they’re the types of players we’re working with day in day out.”
Dawson, who became the club’s Under-21s Lead Coach in January 2023 following Elliott Dickman’s departure a month prior, revealed Miley, who has represented England at under-17 level, was given a half-time message before netting the eventual winner.
He said: “For Lewis, his finishing is one of the things we’ve been onto him about and I know England have been onto him too. At half-time, we’d mentioned about him having some chances (in the first half) and starting to be more clinical, showing that ruthless edge at the top level.
“He’s a great kid, a sponge in taking everything on board so there’s no coincidence that you speak to him and he responds in that type of fashion so I was very pleased for him (to score).”
