Showing character but Newcastle United Women need to turn draws into wins | OneFootball

Newcastle United Women headed into their latest game at Gateshead International Stadium in a confident mood, having staged a late fightback away to Crystal Palace last time out.

A win against Bristol City would see the Lasses close the gap at the top, in the race for promotion.

Manager Becky Langley stuck with the back four and the 4-3-3 formation which served her well in Sutton last weekend but made four other changes. Lois Joel, Oona Sevenius, Emily Murphy and Molly Pike all came into the side with Jas McQuade, Beth Lumsden, Freya Gregory and Shania Hayles dropping to the bench.

A crowd of 2,032 made their way to the game in balmy weather conditions, on what was Men’s International weekend.

Wor Flags had the stadium decked out in Black and White and even had a display going as the players made their way out onto the pitch.

Match Report

Newcastle were quick out of the blocks and applied a lot of early pressure. The first chance of the game fell to the hosts six minutes in, as Oona Sevenius’ cross found Jordan Nobbs in the area but she couldn’t keep her shot down and it sailed over the bar.

Bristol City were soaking up a lot of first-half pressure, but they could’ve taken a shock lead when Marine Dafeur hit the post after the ball dropped to her from an attempted clearance.

Newcastle continued to build momentum in the early stages as Morgan Gautrat teed up Demi Stokes at the back post, forcing a low save from Robin’s goalie Fran Bentley.

Gautrat was pulling the strings in the United midfield. The double world cup winner operating between the lines and delivering some quality passes. She picked out Sevenius midway through the half, but the Finnish International saw her shot blocked by a crowd of players.

Soon after, defender Deanna Cooper nearly scored with a header from the halfway line, as she returned Bentley’s clearance towards the City goal, but it narrowly looped over the bar.

City thought they had weathered the storm and even created a chance of their own after Mari Ward and Emily Syme linked up well with first Maria Farrugia then former Spanish International Vicky Losada, who sent in a cross for Rio Hardy. But the striker’s header was well saved by Femke Liefting in the United goal.

But right on the stroke of half time the Lasses got the breakthrough when Oona Sevenius made it two goals in as many games. Some good work from Gautrat and Jordan Nobbs on the byline saw the former pick out Sevenius. The Finn saw her initial effort saved before firing home the rebound into the roof of the net.

A bright start to the second half was quickly undone when Sophie Ingle released Mari Ward who put the ball on a plate for Rio Hardy. The Robins striker was left unmarked six yards from goal to tap home for her second goal of the season.

The visitors almost took the lead just before the hour mark but Ingle was denied by Liefting’s point-blank save.

Newcastle’s second half chances were not arriving quite so readily as they had in the first. However, they did create one chance when a Demi Stokes cross was dummied by Emily Murphy for Molly Pike. But the former Southampton forward was unable to steer her effort around Bentley.

Just moments after a double United change, Bristol took the lead. Vera Jones, herself having just entered the game, created some space with some tidy footwork before laying the ball off to Hardy, who slotted home with 13 minutes to go.

Two more changes immediately after conceding, had a positive effect for Newcastle though. And they were rewarded in the 89th minute when Welsh international midfielder Lois Joel collected the ball 40 yards out, steadied herself and then let fly with a shot that sailed over a group of players, including goalie Bentley and into the net for a dramatic equaliser.

Newcastle United: Femke Liefting, Lia Cataldo, Aoife Mannion, Deanna Cooper, Demi Stokes, Lois Joel, Jordan Nobbs (Elysia Boddy 78), Morgan Gautrat (Jasmine McQuade 78), Molly Pike (Freya Gregory 74), Emily Murphy, Oona Sevenius (Beth Lumsden 74).

Subs not used: Claudia Moan, Charlotte Wardlaw, Shania Hayles, Malgorzata Grec.

Bristol City: Fran Bentley, Mari Ward, Harley Bennett, Gemma Lawley, Camila Sáez, Marine Dafeur (Malaika Meena 69), Sophie Ingle, Vicky Losada (Jess Ziu 69), Emily Syme (Vera Jones 69) , Maria Farrugia (Sille Struck 88), Rio Hardy (Olivia Johnson 88).

Subs not used: Naomi Williams, Lia O’Leary, Esther Morgan, Issi Hebard.

Adam Mackman pictured with Oona Sevenius

Where that leaves NUFC

Despite that late equaliser Newcastle slipped to ninth in the table, some eight points behind leaders Charlton.

However, they are now unbeaten over their last two games, showing great character to fight back against sides expected to push for promotion.

The opening six fixtures to the season have been brutal.

Away games to Birmingham City and Crystal Palace were always going to be tough, with both sides amongst the favourites to go up. With newly promoted Nottingham Forest having been busy assembling a strong side that will test most teams in the league. Whilst Charlton are the early leaders of WSL 2, Bristol City arrived into Gateshead third in the table. Only the home draw with Sheffield United could be considered as being something of a let down from a series of tough games.

Newcastle are at home again next weekend when they entertain WSL 1 side Manchester City in the League Cup. Whilst the game itself is expected to go the way of the visitors, a chance to test themselves against one of the top 4 sides in the country will represent a break from the rigours of league action.

Following that the Lasses will have the International break and return to their WSL 2 schedule away to Ipswich Town on Sunday 2nd November.