- West Ham United travel to Newcastle United in Premier League 2 Division 2 Play-Off final
- Final will take place at St James’ Park on Tuesday 16 May at 7pm
- Hammers have already played Magpies three times this season, winning one, drawing one and losing one
West Ham United will take on Newcastle United in the Premier League 2 Division 2 Play-Off final at St James’ Park on Tuesday 16 May at 7pm.
The Hammers will make their third trip of the season to the home of the Toon Army, having already tackled the Magpies in the regular season and Premier League Cup.
Terry Westley’s youngsters headed to the North East twice in the space of five days in mid-March, grabbing a goalless draw in the league, before losing 3-2 in a dramatic cup tie.
Now, they head back up the A1 hoping to erase that memory by securing a victory that would see them promoted and play in Premier League 2 Division 1 next season.
The tie will be played to a conclusion on Tuesday night, with extra-time and penalties to be used if the scores remain level.
West Ham have beaten Newcastle this season, scoring a 3-1 victory at Dagenham & Redbridge FC in their opening home league game of the season back in August.
Prolific Spanish striker Toni Martinez scored twice that night – two of ten goals he scored in just eleven Premier League 2 appearances – and the 19-year-old will be available again on Tuesday evening after completing his loan spell with League One club Oxford United.
With the likes of Young Hammer of the Year and Republic of Ireland U21 defender Declan Rice, Norway winger Martin Samuelsen and January signing Nathan Holland also available, Westley’s side have an opportunity to end the season on a real high.
“The times we’ve gone up there, we’ve come away with a point and we’ve lost but both times, we’ve dominated the game so we’ve got to go up there and get promoted," said captain Rice, who scored at St James' Park in the Premier League Cup defeat.
The Hammers finished the regular Division 2 campaign in fourth place, four points behind Newcastle in third, but having already won 2-1 at second-place finishers Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Play-Off semi-final, they have no reason to fear Peter Beardsley’s side.
Tickets will be available at the North East Corner for West Ham fans, priced at £3 for Adults and £1 for Concessions. Season Ticket Holders who produce their cards will be admitted free of charge.