The incredible NUFC Women were at it again on Sunday down at Chorley AFC. They travelled for the second round Adobe FA Women’s Cup looking for a win to take them into the third round when the FA Women’s Championship teams join the ‘party.’
After another dominant performance, The Lady Mags continued their magnificent unbeaten run to seal a place in the third-round draw with an emphatic 5 – 0 away win. They will now face Stoke City in that next round at home on December 10th.
With the NUFC Men’s side away at Spurs and Newcastle Falcons at home at Kingston Park in The Gallagher Rugby Union Premiership, the venue is still to be decided. Many are hoping the game will be at St. James but it may also be at Gateshead International Stadium.
Whatever the venue it’s going to be a great chance for United to get through to the next round. They’ve already beaten Stoke 3 – 1 in The League this season so the omens are good for the tie.
The form and run that Becky Langley’s side is in and on is quite remarkable. They have now gone 26 games unbeaten in all competitions since losing to Wolves in the FA Cup almost a year ago! Those games are evenly split. They’ve scored 44 in 13 this season and scored 49 in 13 last season after the Wolves defeat. So that’s 93 goals in 26 games, over 3.5 goals per game and in those same 26 games they’ve only conceded just 15 goals!
If that doesn’t tell you something about the ambition, drive, determination, togetherness and commitment to higher dreams that this wonderful side have then nothing will. They seem at the moment an unstoppable irresistible force that are to be very much feared.
To Sunday’s game then. Once again bold Becky was innovative with her selection against a side a division lower than her United side. She left several of what many would consider first choice players out of the team and even squad.
But Langley believes in all her Lasses and knows that this season is about ensuring all her squad are match-fit and ready for the challenges that lie ahead. United not only being right up their in the race for promotion to the Championship but also still in the FA WNL Cup where they are favourites to lift the Trophy.
Exciting times indeed and changing and shuffling the pack means they all remain hungry and involved and are looking to stake their claims for more as the season unfolds.
It took a while for United to open the scoring but it always only seemed a matter of time before they did as they dominated possession and created chances which they just couldn’t take until the 36th minute.
Hannah Greenwood crossed from the right deep to the back post. The Chorley defence only partially cleared and Becky Ferguson retrieved the loose ball. Looking up she played an intelligent square ball across the Chorley area.
It found Katie Barker and the United #9 swept it home with her left foot from 14 yards giving Bradley no chance in the Chorley goal and settling any nerves that Newcastle may have had.
One-up at the break United came out in the second half and continued their dominance. A second goal looked inevitable and the only surprise perhaps was it took until the 68th minute for it to arrive.
It was a lovely move as well that opened up the Chorley defence. Daisy Burt striding forward from defence before releasing Anna Soulsby on the right. The winger created good space and delivered a very dangerous cross into the home side’s six-yard box.
The defenders failed to clear the situation and quick as a flash and as all good Centre Forwards do, Bridget Galloway was first to the loose ball to stab it past Bradley from about three yards out. Now the floodgates opened!
United’s Lasses as we know are now a full-time outfit and their fitness and stamina continues to grow with each passing game. As other sides wilt and tire Wor Lasses just keep piling on the relentless pressure.
Goal no. 3 arrived on 76 minutes. It came from a corner taken by Elysia Boddy. She whipped an inswinger towards goal and Chorley defender Mahon got the final touch diverting the ball past her helpless own keeper Bradley.
Now it was only a question of how many would The Lady Mags get. The fourth came from Sharna Wilkinson’s rocket right foot. Barker was unceremoniously and cynically taken down 25-yards from goal after she’d showed great footwork to wiggle free.
Up stepped Wilkinson who hit a superb shot past the wall and which was far too hot for Bradley who despite getting both hands to the effort could not keep it out. United in cruise control actually added a fifth four minutes into injury time.
This time it was teenage tearaway Becky Ferguson with the goal. Disposing a Chorley defender on the halfway line she sped clear of the defence before supplying a brilliant, composed finish from the edge of the box giving Bradley no chance whatsoever.
So, The Lasses march on and on and on and on. If they can take care of Stoke on December 10th they’ll be in the hat for the fourth round of the Adobe FA Women’s Cup. That’s when The Super League teams come into the competition and dreams can be made.
But before that Langley will have her side brought back down to earth as there’s the little matter of a home game in the Northern Premier Division against WBA this coming Sunday December 3rd at Kingston Park with a 14:00pm kick-off.
WBA currently sit 10th in the Division with 2 wins 1 draw and 5 defeats from their 8 games. What price Wor Lases make it 27 unbeaten on Sunday? Pretty short odds I’d say.
