Newcastle United Women fail to blunt the Blades – Still not a bad start | OneFootball

Newcastle United Women headed into their first home game of the season with Sheffield United, having made a winning start on the road last weekend.

The Blades were not expected to cause too many problems after they were relegated last season but later received a reprieve following the demise of Blackburn Rovers.

They also were on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline to Sunderland at Bramall Lane in what was the WSL 2 curtain raiser.

The Lasses were making their first appearance in their new home of Gateshead International Stadium with the venue massively different to Kingston Park.

For one thing, Gateshead has a grass pitch with Kingston Park committed to using astroturf.

While at 11,800 the capacity south of the river does mean the potential for more fans to attend.

All the fans were housed in the main Tyne and Wear Stand that can house up to 3,227 supporters. Over on the far side Wor Flags had decked out the stands with large banners and the black and white branding was seen all throughout the stadium, making it feel like home straight away.

As the players made their way onto the pitch they were greeted by lines of flag wavers and even some dancers who were trying their hardest to get the fans up for the occasion.

Match Report

Newcastle United Women opened their home schedule for the season with a performance that manager Becky Langley described as poor and perhaps the worst half of football played since she arrived at the club.

The Blades started well with Charlie Devlin setting the tone directly from kick-off, as she attempted to lob United goalie Claudia Moan from 35 yards out. The Lasses shot stopper doing well to get back onto her line and claw the effort away.

Newcastle struggled to break down the Blades, with their back-five and congested midfield making it difficult to play through the middle.

Beth Lumsden, playing at wing-back, tried to create something from out wide when she got inside Sophie O’Rourke before firing wide from an acute angle.

On the other flank, Freya Gregory sent in a threatening corner to pick out Emily Murphy at the back post, but the Irish international was unable to test Sheffield goalie Charlotte Parker-Smith.

Neither goalie was really tested for most of a dull first-half but it was the Blades who looked the more threatening around the penalty area. Their endeavour was rewarded just before the break when Tammi George won an aerial battle, with the ball falling to Devlin to fire a superb effort over Moan with another long-range effort.

The Lady Mags made a triple change at half-time. Beth Lumsden, Lois Joel and Emily Murphy replaced by Lia Cataldo, Jas McQuade and Oona Sevenius respectively. It was a change in personnel but not a change of shape, with United sticking rigidly to their 3-5-2 formation.

The Blades managed to keep their shape in the second half and frustrated Newcastle, who struggled to register a shot on target after the restart. Things got worse when Freya Gregory was forced off in the 64th minute with a knock.

With time ticking down, Sheffield’s Emma Taylor sent a right wing cross towards goal, which went over Moan’s head and bounced off the crossbar. At that point it would have been game over. However, two minutes later Newcastle were level.

After a surging run in behind the Blades defence, Demi Stokes played in an excellent ball for Jas McQuade to slot home.

Despite barely deserving a point from the game, Newcastle could have snatched all three. Going close when Molly Pike’s cross found Charlotte Wardlaw, but the defender’s half-volley went over the bar. Sheffield’s Lauren Thomas also had a chance to win it, as she got past Moan into stoppage time, but she was unable to force the ball home.

Newcastle United:

Claudia Moan, Aoife Mannion, Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Wardlaw, Beth Lumsden (Lia Cataldo 46), Emma Kelly (Elysia Boddy 83), Lois Joel (Jasmine McQuade 46), Molly Pike, Freya Gregory (Demi Stokes 64), Emily Murphy (Oona Sevenius 46), Shania Hayles

Subs not used: Femke Liefting, Malgorzata Grec, Jorja Fox

Sheffield United:

Charlotte Parker-Smith, Leanne Cowan, Jessica Reavill, Emma Taylor, Abbie Lafayette, Sophie O’Rourke (Joy Ralph 79), Mollie Rouse, Ella Kinzett, Tammi George (Alyssa Aherne 79), Amy Andrews (Lauren Thomas 89), Charlotte Devlin (Matilda Bristow 71).

Subs not used: Isabel Pendlebury, Grace Foy, Ruby Watts

Where that leaves Newcastle United Wolen

Despite the disappointing result in a game considered to be a ‘home banker’ four points from six isn’t a bad start. Especially as some of their promotion rivals have also dropped points.

The Lasses are tied with 3 other sides for second spot and are two points behind early leaders Charlton.

The top two go up automatically this season, with potentially a third as well, via a play-off.

What’s coming up

Next week sees the Lady Mags travel to St Andrews to take on promotion rivals Birmingham City. Last season we took a surprise 2-0 win so something similar would do very nicely indeed.

They are back on home soil the week after, when they host Charlton at Gateshead on Sunday, 28th September.