Newcastle United Women are still at 100% after a big win at Derby County on Sunday. Their latest game saw them return to Tyneside with a 1 – 0 victory courtesy of yet another Bridget Galloway goal.
The United Centre Forward continued her read-hot form and goal scoring run to help her side make it three wins from three in the league and set themselves up for next weekend’s massive home game against table toppers Burnley.
What has to be said, possibly, is that if The Lasses have a fault then it may be their possible inability to put teams away when they have them on the ropes. Their previous game has seen them cruise to a two-goal lead against Stoke before they let them back in.
It didn’t cost them as they still took a 3 – 1 win and in truth it didn’t cost them again on Sunday when it was perhaps the most comfortable 1 – 0 win you’re ever likely to see. United dominated for the full 90 minutes and Derby despite the score line were never in the game.
It was good early pressure from Newcastle, but without testing Anna Draper in the Derby goal. A couple of brave blocks from the hosts’ backline denying Kacie Elson and Emma Kelly in the opening stages.
Charlotte Potts went close with a header just over from Kelly’s corner on the left, a fifth corner for The Lasses in the opening 10 minutes. Derby at that stage holding firm as Newcastle pushed for an opener.
The game continued in the same pattern with Newcastle maintaining their pressure but with no reward. Elysia Boddy having a shot from distance that Draper saved comfortably low to her left as The Lasses continued to look to create a clear chance.
Skipper Amber-Keegan Stobbs crossed on the half-volley after a high ball down the right, finding Elson. The winger deciding to shoot first time, but dragged the effort and Draper collects.
United were really well on top but were still unable to find a way through as half-time approached. Tyler Dodds finding Galloway with an excellent through ball. The striker rounded the ‘keeper but could only hit the side netting from the tightening angle.
Galloway went close again when Elson chipped the ball to the back post, but the pace of the cross just beat Galloway who stabbed it wide at full stretch. Georgia Gibson then hit a dipping effort from just outside the area, but it went inches over the bar.
A goal seemed inevitable but time was running out in the first half and as the game drifted into injury time Derby created their first noteworthy moment of the game. United keeper Hannah Reid doing well to come and claim a high free-kick into her area.
Newcastle went straight up the other end, and Stobbs looked to be in on goal but Draper was quick off her line to slide and clear the ball. Great work by the Derby ‘keeper who was having a fine game.
Then just as it looked like the first 45 minutes would end goalless, United struck! Inevitably it was Galloway with the opener in the fifth added minute. She was first to react as a cleared corner was fired straight back into the area, and headed skilfully home.
The Lasses were more than full value for their half-time lead with Galloway’s goal being her sixth in only four games and were hopeful that netting at such a vital time would spur them on to more in the second period.
The Lady Mags picked up where they had left off. Potts playing a nice ball into the area from a free kick just inside the Derby half. Niaomi Bedeau challenged for the initial header with the ball breaking for Gibson, but her shot was blocked.
Olivia Watt was the next to go close for The Lady Mags. Her a shot blocked on the line as Derby struggled to clear Dodds’ cross from the right. Draper’s fine form continued as she got an important touch on Kelly’s low free kick into the box, taking it away from the predatory Galloway who was waiting to pounce.
Elson then did well after battling to win the ball before managing to divert it onto substitute Katie Barker whose shot from the edge of the area was just wide of the near post.
Midway through the second half United and Galloway were inches away from doubling their tallies for the afternoon. Galloway hammering the bar with an effort from just inside the area.
A rare foray forward from the home side showed United’s defence was still fully concentrating despite most of the action being at the opposite end. Bedeau making a great sliding challenge in the box, taking the ball cleanly as Derby looked to shoot.
Becky Ferguson had also come on as a substitute for United and inside the final ten minutes almost made her mark. Her shot at point-blank range was turned onto the post by defender Charlotte Steggles. A minute later and Ferguson did make her mark.
She was brought down in the box and the referee awarded The Lasses a penalty with six minutes to go. Up stepped Kelly but Draper made an excellent save at full stretch diving to her left. A real opportunity going begging to seal all three points for United.
As it was it made little difference in the end as United comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to take their second away win in the league and remain perfect for the competitive season.
The only slightly disappointing note is that it could have been more and they’d had a chance to greatly enhance their goal difference. That said a clean sheet and a win away from home was definitely the order of the day for Becky Langley’s impressive side.
Next up as I said is Burnley at Kingston Park this coming Sunday 24th September with a 14:00pm kick-off. The Lasses beat The Clarets in the FA WNL Cup 3 – 2 in extra time so have an advantage.
But Burnley are doing really well in the league and top the Division with four wins and a draw from their five games. It’s going to be a significant match-up that’s not to be missed.
