Newcastle United defeat Sunderland in derby as the lasses do us proud | OneFootball

Newcastle United Women headed into the Tyne Wear derby having collected four points from six since interim manager Claire Ditchburn was appointed following Becky Langley’s departure.

The Lasses were unbeaten in five games across all competitions as well, plus unbeaten in every competitive game that has been played at St James’ Park.

A crowd of 18,972 attended the game in what were bitterly cold conditions on Sunday.

The total was a good 20,000 less than when the sides met last season and was perhaps surprising that there weren’t more, considering it was international weekend for the men.

However, during that last fixture, there was also the first public sighting of the Carabao Cup that had been won just seven days before, meaning an opportunity for many fans to get a glimpse of the silverware.

But this Newcastle v Sunderland derby would still prove to be the biggest attendance of the weekend for a women’s game in this country.

Ditchburn made just two changes from the side that drew against Durham 1-1 at Maiden Castle the previous weekend (where once again all Newcastle based media were not given entry to the game).

Anna Tamminen, a Finnish international, came in to make her first start in goal since arriving in the summer. Tamminen had suffered a training ground injury just days after signing with the club and so had only just recently returned to fitness.

The only other change saw Beth Lumsden, aka the Mackem Slayer, after her goals against them last season, came in for fellow wide player Freya Gregory.

Match Report

The game was played out like a typical derby throughout the opening hour, with neither side able to create many clear cut chances.

You know it’s a slow day when even the club’s Twitter account only has two updates during the entire first half!

Two moments of note saw a Jordan Nobbs corner only half cleared, dropping for Lumsden who couldn’t steer her effort around a sea of bodies on the line, and the latter’s low cross picked out Shania Hayles only for former United midfielder Hannah Greenwood to block before Molly Pike fired over. Sunderland’s only meaningful chance came through a Katie Kitching cross which narrowly evaded Keira Barry.

Sunderland were the better team for the start of the second half, with the Lasses pinned back under what was a continued attack. Emily Scarr came close to giving the away side the lead, but her flick from Kitching’s cross rolled wide. That pressure eventually told when United defender Aoife Mannion did her best Lebron James impression, bouncing the ball with her hand in the area, after she felt she had been fouled.

But cometh the hour and cometh the woman! Anna Tamminen made it a debut to remember as she dived low to her right to stop Eleanor Dale’s penalty kick. It was a decent enough effort from Sunderland’s main striker but the Finnish goalkeeper saved in front of the Gallowgate end to rapturous applause.

That proved to be the turning point and what had been a turgid affair up to that point suddenly sparked into life. A deep corner from Nobbs was met at the back post by defender Deanna Cooper, who was able to bundle the ball over the line.

Three minutes later it was 2-0. Emily Murphy had arrived from the bench soon after the penalty save to put in her most effective performance of the season. Another corner, this time an inswinger from Beth Lumsden, proved to cause Sunderland goalie Grace Maloney all kinds of problems. The visitors could only slice a clearance to Murphy, who fired home with purpose.

But just a couple of minutes later Sunderland found a way back into the game. Keira Barry, who was perhaps her side’s most dangerous threat in the second half with her direct running at United left back Demi Stokes, headed home from short distance after the home side were unable to clear Kitching’s corner.

That was evidence enough that the game was not quite won yet. Even worse, Newcastle substitute Emma Kelly, who was a positive replacement for Elyssia Boddy at half time, was forced off after suffering a collision during the build up to the goal.

But the game was soon decided when Murphy spotted Oona Sevenius out wide. The Finnish forward drifted inside with a clever step over before returning a pass to Murphy, who took a touch which allowed her in behind the Sunderland defence and fired across Moloney into the bottom corner.

Sunderland did try and get another back with 10 minutes to go, with Tamminen forced into a great save away to her right after a well hit strike from Newcastle-fan Emily Scarr. But with their front four all having now been changed, Sunderland lacked the threat they had once posed earlier in the game and Newcastle won in thrilling style.

Newcastle United: Anna Tamminen, Charlotte Wardlaw, Aoife Mannion, Deanna Cooper, Demi Stokes (c), Jordan Nobbs, Elysia Boddy (Emma Kelly 46, Jasmine McQuade 71), Molly Pike (Emily Murphy 58), Oona Sevenius (Freya Gregory 88), Shania Hayles, Beth Lumsden.

Subs not used: Claudia Moan, Jemma Purfield, Małgorzata Grec, Jorja Fox, Lia Cataldo

Sunderland: Grace Moloney, Mary Corbyn (Evie Rabjohn 83’), Hannah Greenwood, Rhiannon Roberts, Louise Griffiths, Emily Scarr, Eleanor Dale (Marissa Sheva 76’), Katie Kitching (Ellen Jones 76’), Tasha Fenton, Jamie Finn, Keira Barry (Katy Watson 83’).

Subs not used: Demi Lambourne, Jessica Brown, Libbi McInnes, Tara O’Hanlon, Brianna Westrup.

Where that leaves Newcastle United Women

Newcastle move up to fourth in the table following this win. However, they are some 10 points off top spot and six adrift of the second automatic promotion berth currently occupied by favourites Birmingham City.

The Lasses keep their unbeaten record at St James Park in competitive games. Their only reverse coming against Champions League side Atletico Madrid during the Sela Cup in August.

Since being promoted to the second tier, Newcastle have won all three meetings with Sunderland, to take firm control of the rivalry,

It’s not often that a Newcastle fan, who bleeds black and white like myself, has much sympathy for Sunderland. However it’s hard to dislike their women’s team. Their manager Mel Reay, is a former Newcastle player and coach, who also happens to be Alan Shearer’s cousin.

Then there is Newcastle-born pair Louise Griffiths and Emily Scarr in their line up, the latter of which has been in great goal scoring form this season. While they also have former United players Brianna Westrup and Hannah Greenwood too.

After a bright start to the campaign Sunderland, along with Durham, are now only being kept out of the WSL 2 relegation zone by goal difference.

Newcastle return to League Cup action next weekend when they take on WSL 1 side Everton in what is a dead rubber. Manchester City have all but guaranteed their progression to the knockout stages of the competition, with only one place up for grabs.