News. Magpies can learn from Canaries draw, says Gillesphey

20170912-macaulay-gillesphey
Published
12 Sep 17

Macaulay Gillesphey feels Newcastle United Under-23s will be able to learn from Monday night’s 2-2 draw with Norwich City, after they were pegged back late on in the Premier League 2 clash at St. James’ Park.

Peter Beardsley side – which featured a handful of first-teamers in Jonjo Shelvey, Rolando Aarons, Jamie Sterry and Freddie Woodman – raced into a two-goal lead early on, with Luke Charman and centre back Gillesphey on target.

But the Canaries mounted a second half fightback, with Devonte Aransibia scoring just after the break before Adam Phillips’ 83rd-minute penalty earned the visitors a point.

And Gillesphey believes being unable to capitalise on their early dominance cost his team.

“I thought we got off to a good start, scoring two goals, but after that I don’t think we went forward as much. I don’t think we were on it tonight, as we have been in the last few games,” the 21-year-old told nufc.co.uk.

“There’s not really much we can do now. I think we had a good chance at the end with Luke, but Luke’s a striker and he’s going to try and have a shot and score. Obviously he didn’t see Jonjo at the back stick.

“It was pretty quiet in the changing room after the game, just listening to the coaches and seeing what they had to stay about it. But we’ll learn from this, and move on.”

Gillesphey rose to nod home Dan Barlaser’s corner on 12 minutes, doubling his side’s lead just two minutes after Charman’s opener. With United in control at that stage, it looked as though they would go on to seal all three points.

But Norwich responded after the restart, and the young defender says failing to secure the victory took the shine off his goal.

“I was obviously pleased to score, but just disappointed with the result, so it doesn’t really matter,” said Gillesphey.

“I suppose there’s a positive to take from the chances we created, but the negative side of it is that we didn’t take them, so it works both ways.

“I thought their two goals were sloppy, with the one at the front post and then the pen, but we just couldn’t get going really.

“It’s definitely a learning experience, it’s always going to be. In every game, everyone is learning. I don’t think we were at our best today, so we’ll just move on from it.”

Gillesphey spent the best part of the last two seasons out on loan at League Two side Carlisle United.

And he feels that experience has stood him in good stead, as he returns to St. James’ Park to continue his development.

“I’m just trying to improve, every day in training and in games as well. The time I’ve spent on loan has definitely improved me, on and off the pitch,” he said.

“It’s definitely helped – I’ve definitely improved, and obviously in January I’ll be looking to go out again on loan.”

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