Promotion hopefuls London City Lionesses and Newcastle United play out opening day draw | OneFootball

Barclays Women’s Championship promotion hopefuls London City Lionesses and Newcastle United played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Hayes Lane this afternoon.

Both goals came in an ultra-competitive first half. Shania Hayles opened the scoring for Newcastle United before Kosovare Asllani levelled matters for the hosts in front of a club-record league crowd of 1,781.

Newcastle United arguably settled the better of the two sides early on and London City Lionesses keeper Emily Orman had to be alert to keep a Hayles effort out of the net.

The hosts then thought that they should have had a penalty in the 19th minute when Asllani was the subject of a heavy tackle in the box.

A minute later, the deadlock was broken and it was Newcastle United who found the back of the net. A flowing move ended with Hayles having a clear sight of goal and she made no mistake from 12 yards.

London City Lionesses fought back and Lotta Lindström hit the post after getting on the end of a Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah cross. The Pride eventually levelled matters in the 39th minute when Lindström played in Asllani and she emphatically converted from 12 yards.

The final chance of the first half fell Newcastle United’s way. After some pinball in the box, the ball fell to Hayles six yards out but she steered her effort wide.

London City Lionesses took their momentum into the second half. The Pride went in search of a second goal, although they struggled to test Newcastle United keeper Claudia Moan. Asllani came closest with a strike from distance but she couldn’t put the ball either side of the keeper.

The Pride threw on latest signing Isobel Goodwin for the final quarter of the game. She twice went close but couldn’t find a debut goal as the game ended 1-1.

London City Lionesses are back in action next weekend when they travel to Blackburn Rovers while Newcastle United host Sheffield United on Sunday 22 September 2024.