It’s now 27 unbeaten games in a row for Becky’s Langley’s Lasses, who defeated West Bromwich Albion Women 1 – 0 in the FA Women’s Northern Premier Division on Sunday.
A result that took them to the top of the table and a two-point lead over nearest challengers Burnley, with both sides now having played nine games. There’s still a long way to go but the signs are certainly encouraging for United’s Women.
My thoughts on this game is that it’s exactly these type of performances and results that make Champions. Yes, the 4 – 0s and 5 – 0s help and are wonderfully attractive to watch but you only need one goal to win a game if you’re not conceding at the other end.
The Lady Mags are built on solid foundations. In the 14 games they’ve played so far this season they’ve only conceded 6 goals and in their nine league games, 8 wins and 1 draw, they’ve only conceded once. Ten clean sheets in all.
This was another masterclass in possession football where they never ever looked in danger. Well almost never looked in danger. Albion did have one really clear-cut chance on 24 minutes when Fran Orthodoxou got in behind the United defence.
It was a free header about 8-yards out from a Hannah George free-kick but the combative WBA midfielder headed over from an excellent position. A chance she and her team would rue.
That said, United could have been at least a couple of goals to the good before that visiting effort and definitely should have been in front. From the off United pressed and looked to create chances with Tyler Dodds on the right sending over a stream of crosses.
However, it was a cross from the other flank by Olivia Watt on 9 minutes that saw Dodds miss a massive chance that would have completely changed the tone and shape of the game. Ghosting in at the far post, Dodds was completely unmarked about 3-yards out and although the angle was tight she should have put the chance away but screwed it wide of the far post.
On 15 minutes Baggies keeper Anna Miller saved her side when Georgia Gibson got on the end of Bridget Galloway’s knockdown created space for a shot, but saw Miller make a good parry to keep it out.
Then Galloway herself went close from one of Dodds’ crosses, flicking her header over Miller, but it was just too high as it dropped on the top of the net. That opening suggested United would eventually break down WBA but it never happened.
The closest the Lasses came after Albion’s only chance was right on half-time when Galloway got on the end of Emma Kelly’s free kick but headed narrowly wide from the centre of the Albion box.
So, 0 – 0 at half-time and it had to be said that, despite United dominating possession, they hadn’t carved out many clear-cut chances. West Brom were very, very well-organised and disciplined and the ball was just not running United’s way.
Straight after half-time, Newcastle had another gilt-edged chance they failed to take. This time a Dodds cross reaching Elysia Boddy, whose shot was deflected into the path of Kacie Elson who blazed over from a great position about 8-yards out.
The one area where The Lady Mags deserved huge credit was their patience and attitude. They didn’t allow Albion to get under their skin or get frustrated at the lack of space and chances. They just kept going forward and probing for an opening.
With half an hour to go, super-sub Becky Ferguson was brought on in place of Elson to see if she could turn the tide. But it was actually Galloway who nearly did get the breakthrough for United on 64 minutes.
Getting on the end of another Dodds cross she knocked the ball past Miller from point-blank range only to see Isabel Green make a remarkable goal line clearance to keep the score sheet blank.
79 minutes came and constant pressure from United saw Boddy hit a terrific drive from just outside the box that Miller did well to get across too and hold diving to her left. Still United didn’t panic and continued to try and find a way through.
The golden moment eventually arrived on 85 minutes. Another ball into the box was cleared by Albion and picked up by Boddy, who showed great control and vision to find Kelly on the right. The midfielder creating room to put in a dangerous cross. Albion skipper Hannah Gordon who had been magnificent in the heart of the visiting defence got her head to the ball, but only diverted into the path of Ferguson, who swivelled 10-yards out and crashed a low right foot drive past the diving despairing Miller.
It sparked wild celebrations on the terraces, where over 1,500 fans had braved the bitter old conditions to support Wor Lasses. But Ferguson’s celebration was even more spectacular as she dived into the snow behind the goal and created a snow angel.
A late, late, late strike but a well-deserved one and Ferguson almost struck again in injury time with a header that saw Miller make another great save. The whistle went a short time later and United could celebrate going top of the League.
As I said much earlier it’s results and performances like this that win titles. It’s back-to-back 1 – 0 wins in The League for Wor Lasses and another rock-solid professional performance.
Albion had come for a point clearly and did really well to limit Newcastle’s chances. But in the end one bit of quality from teenager Ferguson who now has five goals for the season, three of which have come from the bench, made the difference.
United’s next game is another huge one as they take on Stoke City Women in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Second Round game at ‘home’. Home being Gateshead International Stadium this coming Sunday, the 15th, with a 1:00pm kick-off.
Newcastle have already beaten Stoke in The League 3 – 1 this season and are red-hot favourites for this tie. A win would obviously take them into the third round which is when the Super League sides come into the competition.
Now if that’s not a mouth-watering incentive to keep this amazing run going then nothing is.
