Life in the Barclays Championship is still suiting NUFC Women as they continued their unbeaten run with a comfortable 2 – 0 win at fellow promotees Portsmouth. It means it’s two wins and a draw so far for Becky Langley’s side and seven points in the bank.
It was also back-to-back clean sheets for a solid United defence and keeper Claudia Moan who in truth didn’t have a difficult save to make in the 90 minutes. The opposite has to be said for Eve Annetts making her debut in the Portsmouth goal.
The 18-year-old loanee must now know how Davy Crockett felt at The Alamo as she faced a constant barrage throughout the game and came out of it with lots of credit following a string of fine saves.
There’s no doubt that without the bravery and agility Annetts showed Pompey would have been dead and buried even long before half-time. Indeed perhaps the only thing that Langley may have been worried about was her side’s profligacy in front of goal.
These two sides had met in the FA Women’s National League Cup semi-final at St. James Park last season when Georgia Gibson’s Gallowgate end goal on 90 minutes had sent The Lady Mags through to the Final 2 – 1.
Both sides following that semi-final went on to win their respective divisions to set-up the Barclays Championship clash. However, whilst United have clearly strengthened for life in the higher league the same perhaps can not be said of Portsmouth.
This was their fourth league game of the season and their fourth loss. To make matters worth the National League South Champions haven’t even managed to register a goal so far this season as they lie bottom of the table.
But that’s not Wor Lasses concern. All they can do is keep taking down those that lie in front of them as they aim for an unprecedented third successive promotion and a shot at the Barclays Super League.
From the off United dominated and the final score line doesn’t reflect the possession they had and the chances they could have taken. They simply played Pompey off the park especially in the opening 45 minutes.
Newcastle almost went in front inside the first two minutes. Pompey skipper Riva Casley slipped on the ball presenting a gift to Shania Hayles who raced through on goal. She drove her left foot effort from 14-yards to Annetts left but the keeper made a great parry.
Then on 5 minutes Lois Joel played a superb ball from the right through the home defence and this time it was United skipper Amber-Keegan Stobbs who was denied by Annetts great blocking save from the 8-yard angled drive.
United continued to press and should have gone in front on 26 minutes. Beth Lumsden’s corner causing confusion in the Pompey six-yard area but Rachel Furness could only crash her effort onto the crossbar from very close range.
Amy Andrews had the next chance for The Lasses. Furness playing a long ball up to Hayles who’s great pass opened up the home defence and once again United were 1-on-1 with Annetts.
Andrews timing her run superbly was denied by Annetts excellent positioning and block. The rebound came back to Andrews but the angle was even tighter and with defenders in front of her she could only shoot into the side netting.
United did finally break the deadlock on 34 minutes. Hayles to Jas McQuade in the centre of the park. The homegrown Geordie talent showing excellent skill to beat her defender and then brilliant awareness to chip the ball through to the unmarked Andrews.
This time Newcastle’s central striker made no mistake hitting her 8-yard effort with the outside of her right boot high into the net past the helpless Annetts. Andrews first goal for the Club and one she’ll treasure after getting off the mark.
Furness then one again found Hayles with a long ball up from the back on the ground. Hayles flicked it first time around the defender setting Andrews running into the box. Andrews returned the ball to Hayles with a little poked pass.
Hayles’ effort once again on target and needing Annetts to be in the right place at the right time to scramble the ball around the post. Demi Stokes from the cleared corner played a ball over the top of the Pompey defence to find Lumsden in space.
But in what was becoming a regular occurrence and the story of the first half, Annetts was the victor once again in the 1v1 situation and denied Lumsden a goal against her former Club with another smart save.
Then a long free kick from the right by Joel was only half punched away by Annetts with the ball dropping to the feet of Andrews. She smashed it back at goal but the recovery Annetts was there taking the ball flush in the face to make a superb brave block once more.
The last chance of the half fell to McQuade. Furness releasing Stokes down the left and when her cross from the byline was only half cleared McQuade hit a volley from just outside the box which actually beat Annetts but was cleared off the line by Casley.
So, United in front at the break but they were only just with a one-goal advantage. It should have been more and the only worry was had they left the door open for Pompey.
That question was almost answered when on the resumption of the game Emma Jones hit a fierce snapshot from 20-yards but it was straight at Moan in the United goal who held the shot comfortably.
After Lumsden sent a long-range free kick well wide it was the impressive McQuade that forced Annetts into her first action of the second half. Jinking inside McQuade tried her luck from 22-yards but Annetts got down low to smother the effort.
Skipper Stobbs was having a fine game driving her team forward from midfield. A typical run saw her find substitute Katie Barker inside the area who’s smart left foot shot on the turn was well held by the diving Annetts.
United sealed the points on 73 minutes. Joel winning a strong challenge and finding another United substitute Sophie Haywood who played a delightful ball to fellow substitute Isabella Sibley.
Sibley sped away from the defence and then cut a low ball across the Pompey six-yard area. Barker just failing to get a decisive back heel onto it but it didn’t matter as McQuade was there at the back post to sweep the ball home from 3-yards out.
As much as United and Player of the Match McQuade deserved. It was almost three moments later when Elysia Boddy’s excellent 25-yard drive fizzed inches wide with Annetts beaten for once.
A late flurry from the home side almost brought them a consolation when Megan Hornby turned well on the edge of the United box but saw her left foot curler beat moan but bounce to safety off the top of the crossbar.
Deep into injury time Haywood should have made it 3 – 0 after being released into the Pompey box by Sibley’s great through ball. United’s substitute bearing down on goal but her finish lacked conviction and once again Annetts kept it out this time with her right boot.
In the end it made no difference. United were comfortable and well worth their win. Perhaps on another day they could have easily doubled their goal tally or notched even more but they’ll take the win and move on with confidence.
They now have two home games in the next seven days. Super League side Everton visit Kingston Park this coming Wednesday night for a League Cup Group game with a 7:30pm kick off.
Then it’s the first of the four derby games Wor Lasses will play as Durham who currently sit second in the table after three wins and one defeat from their opening four games arrive on Sunday for a 2:00pm kick-off at Kingston Park in what is going to be a huge occasion.
