Pike: "It's great to get that winning feeling back" | OneFootball

Pike, who netted on the opening day of the season against Nottingham Forest Women, was equally as delighted to get her name on the scoresheet on Sunday as she was to see friend and long-time teammate Jemma Purfield make her return from injury.

Newcastle have a busy month of WSL2 and Subway Women's League Cup action, including a derby at St. James' Park against Sunderland Women, so a second success of the campaign at the JobServe Community Stadium was well timed.

"It's great to get that winning feeling back," Pike said post-match. "Hopefully this is the start of many more to come because we want to have this feeling every week.

"There was a positive feeling heading into the game, and the vibes had been really good. We all knew we had to stick together if we wanted to win the game, and I think you could see how much we were fighting for each other.

"It wasn't just the starters either, the subs who came on made a huge difference to the game, but we know that we've got to keep our heads, keep working and try to kick on from here."

Pike joined United from Southampton Women over the summer after scoring five goals in the previous WSL2 campaign, including a brace against the Lasses, but with two goals to her name so far, she's on course for a bright debut season in black and white.

She wasn't the only player to depart the south coast for Tyneside during the close season, with former Durham Women defender Purfield moving back up north, but until Sunday she had been struck down by an injury picked up in pre-season.

"I'm really happy with my performance, and to top it off with a goal was nice," said Pike. "All I was thinking when the ball came to me was, keep it down and strike through the ball, so I'm happy with the finish."

When asked about Purfield, Pike smiled: "It was lovely to see her back on the pitch because she's been working so hard every single day.

"I'm so happy for her and hopefully she can kick on now that she's got some minutes in her legs."