Newcastle United Women delivered the perfect early Christmas present for their loyal fans and new manager with an excellent 2-1 away win at Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon.
The result indicates a close game and in the end it was after United missed several good chances throughout the game.
But in the end they did get the win and moved closer to the top of the table as they kept their promotion dream alive. They are now only three points behind Birmingham City who are the next league visitors to the Gateshead International Stadium in the New Year.
That promises to be a cracker of a game and will take place after the mid-winter break on Sunday 11th January 2026 with a 14:00pm kick-off. Wor Lasses will go into the game full of confidence as the extended their unbeaten run in the league to six games. The last three of all wins.
It also means that Tanya Oxtoby is still sporting a 100% record as Newcastle United Women’s manager. It may only be three games but it’s been a welcome three games as Oxtoby appears to have steadied the ship and breathed new life into the players.
On Sunday at Pompey they really should have been out of sight by half-time. They pressed from the off and went close when Oona Sevenius rattled the side-netting with a fierce angled drive from 10-yards out.
Beth Lumsden who had a fine game causing Portsmouth problems all game almost created an opening goal for Jordan Nobbs not long after. Lumsden getting to the by-line before pulling a great ball back into the path of Nobbs.
Unfortunately, even experienced ex-Lionesses get it wrong sometimes as Nobbs met the ball seven yards out but could only side-foot it over the bar with the goal gaping. Gilt-edged chance gone a-begging.
Then from a Lumsden corner Charlotte Wardlaw got free well inside the six-yard box but could only head over from a good position. A goal surely looked like it was coming and it duly arrived on 19 minutes.
Demi Stokes cross from the left looked as if it was going to miss everyone but Nobbs came steaming in at the back post, allowed the ball to bounce up nicely and then thundered home an excellent 12-yard rocket of a shot to put United in front.
Pompey did respond well to going a goal down with better possession but were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Indeed United came closest to the next goal when Lumsden skipped away from her marker and fired in a low cross-shot that Jess Gray got down well to gather.
Half-time then and a goal to the good but the worry was it was only one goal. From the off in the second half it was The Lady Mags pushing again. Shania Hayles taking a neat Nobbs through ball well in her stride before being tripped by Izzy Collins.
It looked like a clear case of the Portsmouth defender denying Hayles a clear-cut chance on goal. However, the Assistant’s flag went up for offside so no resulting free kick. The referee still brandished a yellow card for Collins’ challenge.
Pompey did look livelier in the second half but it was still Newcastle who created the better chances. Hayles really should have done better when Nobbs picked up the unmarked United #9 8-yards from goal. But the Jamaican international could only head over with the goal at her mercy.
The home side though were gifted an equaliser on 63 minutes. Sevenius’ attempted back pass being picked off by Arsenal loanee Jessie Gayle. She advanced into the box rounded Ana Tamminen and stylishly finished into the awaiting net.
Portsmouth then had a huge shout for a penalty. Substitute Angelina Nixon bursting into the United box and just as she was about to pull the trigger Nobbs appeared to push her over. The referee though waved the claims away. Pompey Manager Jay Sadler booked for his protestations.
Nobbs was proving influential and her neat cross into the box saw Collins’s mis-hit her attempted clearance. The ball fell to Hayles just outside the six-yard box but again United’s first-choice striker was unable to hit the target.
On 84 minutes though the moment came that determined the destiny of the points. Lumsden spotting a great run through the middle fired a great cross-field ball from the halfway line on the right towards the United midfielder.
But before Nobbs could get to the ball Pompey skipper Jas Bull attempted to intercept but from 22-yards out only succeeded in chipping her own keeper for a disastrous own goal. It was though no more than United had deserved for the efforts and dominance throughout the game, but it was an early Christmas gift for our lasses.
There was still time for Collins to receive a second yellow card and subsequently a red when she cynically fouled Lumsden who looked as if she was going to get away from the Pompey defender. It was the last meaningful action of the game.
So, with Bristol City losing in midweek to Crystal Palace it meant that United’s crucial three points put them level on points with the third-placed side only trailing them by goal difference. Birmingham now also within Newcastle’s reach especially with that game coming up on the 11h January.
That will also be 11 days into the transfer window which also looks like being an intriguing one for United as there’s no doubt that Tanya Oxtoby is looking to be busy in January. Until then United can enjoy the festive season safe in the knowledge that the promotion push is still alive.
Photo credit: @Jamie_Gallon
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