Wor Lasses big away day

It’s now 24 games unbeaten in all competitive fixtures stretching back to last season for Becky Langley’s trail-blazing NUFC Women’s side. More importantly, the latest win was a massive one on the road on Sunday.

They went to Nottingham Forest who sat third in the table and came away with a crucial three points after a hard-fought 1 – 0 win. But this wasn’t just about what happened on the pitch.

The support for The Lady Mags is magnificent and there was even an incredible first for The Club with a full coach load of supporters travelling down to lend their vocal efforts for Wor Lasses.

That would have been impressive enough but when The Lasses ran out for the game they were hit by a sea of black and white in the away end with an estimated 400 additional fans supplementing the coach travellers.

An unbelievable effort and one that shows the affection and commitment NUFC fans have got for this team who keep rewarding that magnificent following with excellent performances and crucial wins.

The goal that ultimately took all three points and lifted Newcastle to second in the table, only a point behind leaders Burnley with a game in hand, came courtesy of Kacie Elson’s 59th minute strike. The winger reacting superbly to steer home the rebound when substitute Elysia Boddy’s shot came back off the post.

It was no more than United deserved particularly for the way they opened the second half. Bridget Galloway having hit the post when Emily Batty in the Forest goal spilled Georgia Gibson’s shot on 52 minutes. The rebound this time hit straight back at Batty from Boddy.

Galloway had also gone very close on two occasions moments earlier with an effort from the edge of the box that Batty tip well to turn around the post and another shot from a tight angle that beat Batty but hit the side netting.

United had earlier been indebted to their excellent defence and inspirational goalkeeper who ultimately collected another clean sheet on the day. Their eighth out of the twelve games they’ve played this season.

As early as the 14th minute, Grace Donnelly made a tremendous save. Louanne Worsey went clean through on goal for the home side but Donnelly was out quickly to close the angle, making herself big and blocking the shot.

Then four minutes later, Freya Thomas looked to play Domingo in behind the Newcastle defence, but Donnelly reacted quickly to come off her line and clear the danger.

After the goal in the 68th minute, the flying Donnelly made a great diving header clearance to cut out the danger as Sophie Domingo looked to get in behind her defence. Donnelly’s last piece of significant action came almost twenty minutes from the end of the game. A ball breaking to Holly Manders on the edge of the area, but Donnellywasis equal to her low, driven effort.

From that point Newcastle regained control of the game and could have had more goals. Emma Kelly making an interception deep inside the Forest half, driving forward to shoot, but her low effort from just outside the area was just wide of the near post.

Then Donnelly’s opposite number Batty was called into action again making a good save low to her right to deny Niaomi Bedeau. United’s final chance came late on in the game. Tyler Dodds taking a nice first touch, turning Nat Johnson to open space for a shot, but her curled left-foot effort was just wide of the far post.

At the final whistle the vast contingent of loyal NUFC fans went wild and they were joined in celebration by the players they had come to support. This felt like a signature win and in many ways was.

There’s no denying that Forest are a very tough, well-organised side with lots of talent. But then so are Becky Langley’s side as they continue to impress and move forward. This was a win built on solid defence with skipper Amber-Keegan Stobbs, Charlotte Potts, Olivia Watt and Bedeau all in excellent form to backup the heroics of keeper Donnelly.

That was the platform that Wor Lasses needed to go forward and the half-time substitution of Boddy for Katie Barker was another big factor with the 19-year-old’s coverage of the pitch and an eye for a pass particularly impressive in the second half.

So, another win in the bag and what follows is another road trip next weekend in the second round of The FA Cup. Chorley FC await The Lady Mags. A team a division below Wor Lasses meaning an excellent opportunity for United to reach the third round.

At that stage the Championship and Super League sides come into the competition and if United can get through there’s no-one from those higher echelons that would fancy facing this rampaging Newcastle side.