Just over a week ago, NUFC Women had a superb come from behind win in the 1st Round of the FA Women’s National League Cup to reach the last 16 of a very winnable competition.
They will face Cup Holders Nottingham Forest at home in the 3rd Round looking to get to the Quarter Finals and at the same time defeat on of their main rivals for The Cup. That last 16 place was achieved with a 2 – 1 win away at Boldmere St. Michaels.
Boldmere had taken the lead against the run of play through Gabby Maia after Newcastle had been on top most of the game. The Toon Lasses coming back with a first goal for the Club for Cara Milne-Redhead on 75 minutes.
The winner came dramatically in the second minute of injury time and it was an eighth goal of the season from summer signing Bridget Galloway that saw The Lady Mags safely into the next round where they bagged the home tie against Forest.
Fast forward a week and Wor Lasses were back in Northern Premier Division action against Liverpool Feds. Feds, who pipped United to the Division One North title back in 2021/22 by the narrowest of margins.
They then had a solid full season of consolidation in the higher division and going into their home game had won 3 and lost 2 of their opening five fixtures. Becky Langley’s Newcastle side knew it was not going to be a stroll in Merseyside.
But, they themselves have had a fine start to the season. Not just winning both of their FA WNL Cup games but all three of the league games they’ve managed to play so far. Two unfortunate postponements restricting their league involvement thus far.
Sunday was an opportunity to keep their league form and results going and boy did they ever. Another road win, three more points, a clean sheet and four more goals all added up to a very satisfying afternoon indeed for The Lady Mags.
Right from the off United were on top and had several chances without being able to take any of them. It almost cost them as their hosts went very close to a goal against the run of play on 25 minutes.
Newcastle were indebted to defender Olivia Watts, who made a vital block to deny Bethany Donoghue after the Feds forward had rounded United’s keeper Grace Donnelly and looked a certain scorer.
But it didn’t go in and The Lasses finally took advantage and broke the deadlock on 34 minutes. Charlotte Potts making a trademark run from the back to open up the play and find Cara Milne-Redhead just inside the Feds box.
The midfielder took aim and her terrific angled shot beat Freya Heap in the Liverpool goal but bounced back into the centre of the box off the inside of the post. Kacie Elson was alive to the opportunity and swept the ball home from ten yards to give United the lead.
A lead they held as they trooped off at half-time but one they doubled within a minute of the restart in superb style. Elson on the left played a ball across the 18-yard box to Galloway. The striker in turn laying the ball off to Emma Kelly bursting forward.
The ex-Sunderland skipper not breaking stride before crashing a fabulous shot from 20 yards high past Heap’s despairing dive to put United two up.
Two became three on the hour mark and if ever a goal showed the worth of having a prolific predator like Galloway in your side, then this was it.
Elysia Boddy driving forward from midfield found space to smash a great 25-yard effort at the Liverpool goal. Heap dived and did well to parry the effort, but Galloway showed superb instincts to pounce on the loose ball and turn it home inside the six-yard box.
It was Galloway again on 71 minutes, who made it 4 – 0 to United with another typical top striker’s effort. It came from a corner on United’s attacking right. Tyler Dodds floating a beautiful ball into the six-yard box and Galloway rising highest to flick a header home.
It was United’s Centre Forward’s tenth competitive goal of the season. She now has 7 in only four league games and 3 in two FA WNL Cup games and is already top of the Northern Premier Division scoring charts.
She very nearly made it 11 for the season and a first competitive hattrick for the Club on 90 minutes. Substitutes Jas McQuade and Katie Barker combining well to put Dodds away on the left and crossed low to Galloway, who saw her first-time goal bound shot well blocked at close range.
So United move on and the next game is huge! They return home to Kingston Park to take on League leaders Burnley, who have won five and drawn one of their opening six games to remain unbeaten.
The Lancashire outfit have scored twenty goals in those six games and conceded just seven. They’ve already been to Kingston Park once this season losing 3 – 2 in extra time to United in the FA WNL Cup.
It’s going to be some game and with United’s Men not playing this weekend a great opportunity for all to get behind the Club and The Lasses and pack out Kingston Park. The game is this Sunday, the 15th, with a 14:00pm kick-off. One not to be missed!
