Okay, ‘let’s do a more from the heart match report’ my unfertile old mind said to me after an emotional and stressful rollercoaster ride ended in more glory for Wor Lasses, where Becky Langley’s lasses beat Portsmouth 2-1 in the FA Women’s National League Cup.
A win that sends United through to the final to play Hashtag United of the Southern Premier Division, a team based in Pitsea, Basildon, Essex and in the same division as Portsmouth whom Newcastle overcame on Sunday afternoon.
That final will be played at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road which is a lot closer to Hashtag than it is the Toon but my bet is that the United of Newcastle will take far more fans to the National Cup final on the weekend of March 23/24.
Pompey strode into St. James Park boasting an impressive league record of 14 wins and only one defeat, which came ironically at Hashtag way, way, way back in September last year. A loss they reversed last month with a 2 – 1 win over the same opposition.
Portsmouth, like The Lady Mags, look a very good bet to take their divisional title and promotion to The FA Championship. If both sides complete their league campaigns the way they should then they will meet again in that division next season.
I said it was emotional and stressful and boy was it ever! I’ve also mentioned in case it escaped your notice that the game was played at St. James Park. The crowd? A superb 22,307 came to witness the latest chapter in the ever-progressing NUFC Women’s story.
It was also Manger Becky Langley’s 100th game in charge of Wor Lasses in a 5-year journey that has seen the team come from playing in front of a handful of fans, mostly family, and having to pay to play to now being paid to pay as full-time professionals!
A quite remarkable journey indeed that shows signs of neither slowing down or ending any time soon. A jubilant Newcastle bench sprinted on to the field to celebrate at the final whistle with the players on it as St. James’ erupted in a cacophony of noise.
Even owner Amanda Staveley sprinted precariously down the terrace steps from her seat on high to celebrate with The Lasses she’s taken to her hearts and ensured they’ve been backed to the hilt. Tears a-plenty flowing from many on the pitch as well as off it.
For the record the goals in the game and the scoring sequence went like this. United opening the scoring on 52 minutes with a bullet header from centre back Charlotte Potts as she met Tyler Dodds superbly delivered corner to give Hannah Haughton no chance.
A neat finish from Emma Jones dinking the ball over Grace Donnelly after a well-worked move from Portsmouth levelled proceedings at 1 – 1 on 64 minutes and setup the game for a dramatic conclusion.
Which came in the final minute of normal time when Georgia Gibson got on the end of Katie Barker’s superb left wing cross to glance a fine header wide of the despairing Haughton to send United into the final and the whole ground into raptures.
It was a wonderful moment after a marvellous game that showcased how entertaining and support worth the Women’s game is right now. And it was another memorable moment for Gibson who netted her fourth goal at the Gallowgate end in her United career.
The winner sparked a ‘Jose Mourino’ moment from Coach Andy Cook who sprinted off down the touchline in celebration joined by non-playing substitute Anna Soulsby in scenes of pure joy and triumph.
After the game Becky Langley’s post-match press conference was oh-so memorable and again full of emotion. Her pride and pleasure at the way her team had performed and come through such a big test was plain to see.
But, as she said herself, Wor Lasses have won nothing yet, just given themselves yet another opportunity though to do so. On current form and with the mood in the camp the way it is it would though be a brave person to bet against a League and Cup double!
🎥 Full time scenes at St James’ Park as @NUFCWomen make the #FANWL Cup final with a 2-1 win over Portsmouth!
Look at what it means to Becky Langley and her team.#NUFC | ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/UuxaLe42Wd
— Joshua Nichol (@JoshuaFNichol) February 25, 2024
