Newcastle United Women certainly seem to have unearthed a diamond in new centre forward Bridget Galloway judging by the way she’s started the season for The Lady Mags. Two goals in the opening competitive game in the FA WNL Cup against Burnley was followed up with another two on Sunday.
Thos two came in The Lasses opening FA Northern Premier League game away at AFC Fylde. This was a game that Newcastle were favourites for on paper, but then we all know football’s not played on paper.
An emphatic 4 – 0 away win in their first league game at this level saw them completely dominate a Fylde side that, in truth, didn’t know what had hit them. In all honesty, it could and perhaps should have been more, but no-one’s going to be disappointed by a four-goal away win.
It was Galloway – a centre forward that has a bit of pace, great strength and lovely holdup play and a Sat Nav that has destination ‘Goal’ programmed into it – that got United underway on 12 minutes. Emma Kelly’s lovely chipped ball over the top gave Galloway the chance to show all her skills.
A chance she took with aplomb as she lifted it over the onrushing keeper to give United an early lead. A lead they would hold until half-time. Kacie Elson had a couple of decent chances which she didn’t take and Kelly went close on one occasion as The Lady Mags looked really good at times.
That said, Fylde were not out of the game at 1 – 0 and United were indebted to keeper Hannah Reid on a couple of occasions as made good saves to keep Newcastle in front as the half-time whistle went.
The second half was more comfortable as The Lasses moved up a gear. Galloway – to the surprise of many – missed a great chance to double her and her side’s tally before the lethal weapon did strike a second on 53 minutes.
United’s high-press saw them pinch the ball just outside the Fylde box. Skipper Amber-Keegan Stobbs reading the situation perfectly before squaring a ball across the box for Galloway to finish coolly.
Two became three on 61 minutes, with Stobbs being the benefactor of a great Tyler Dodds cross. Picking her out at the back post, Stobbs hit a sweet first-time volley to make the points safe with almost half an hour still to play.
Perhaps the surprising thing was it took until the 94thminute for The Lady Mags to net their fourth. Substitute Georgia Gibson with a lovely right-foot finish from just inside the Fylde box to complete a great afternoon’s work.
It could have been better for both United and Galloway, as she connected brilliantly with an overhead kick only to see the ball cannon back into play off the crossbar. The same crossbar that Niaomi Bedeau had also hit in the 50th minute with a fine shot.
I’ve decided to use the hashtag #BridgeyGoal to celebrate the striker’s ability and form. At this rate it could find itself going viral before the end of the season!
Next up for NUFC Women is another league game against Stoke City at Kingston Park this Sunday 10th September with a 14:00pm kick-off.
