A new look Newcastle United Women’s team took on Italian outfit Internazionale Femminile in the newly named Visit Malta Weekender on Sunday.
It was the first of seven planned appearances at St James’ Park for the 2026-27 season.
United came into the game having comprehensively dispatched Scottish Premier League side Rangers, in what was their opening pre-season test.
That 4-0 victory, played behind closed doors, saw Jas McQuade, Oona Sevenius, Beth Lumsden and new signing Kathleen McGovern all find the net.
Last time out the Lasses slipped to a 1-0 reverse against an Everton side who play in the English top-tier.
Match Report
Of the eleven new signings the club made over the summer, six of them were named in the starting XI on Sunday. Loan-signing Kayla Rendell started in goal, with Hannah Nemeth, Hildur Antonsdóttir, Rachel McLauchlan, Mollie Lambert and McGovern also making their bow.
It was manager Tanya Oxtoby’s first game in charge at Gallowgate, since taking over in December. While there was also a debut for the new smart looking lilac and purple third strip.
Photo by Adam Mackman via The Mag
Defender Jemma Purfield was named captain of the side as she formed a new look central defensive partnership with Hungarian international Nemeth.
Inter, who with a Champions League qualifier set to take place this midweek, were understandably well ahead of Newcastle in their preparations for the new season and looked sharp throughout. Their front pairing of Haley Bugeja and Brittany Raphino were particularly impressive in what was a star-studded line up that also included German midfielder Lina Magull on the bench.
Italian international full back Elisa Bartoli showed her side’s intent early on when she was able to tap home at the back past, but was denied an opening goal by an offside flag.
The Lady Mags lined up in their usual 4-3-3 formation but midfielder Mollie Lambert was playing so far advanced she was almost acting as a second striker at times, alongside McGovern. And it would be the Scottish international who led a break up the field for the home side’s opening chance. After finding Beth Lumsden on the right flank the pacy winger could only watch as her shot was comfortably saved after cutting onto her left foot.
Photo by Adam Mackman via The Mag
It perhaps came as no surprise to see Internazionale take the lead just past the mid-point of the half. A smart low ball to the back post picked out Belgian midfielder Marie Detruyer who had the simple task of tapping into an empty net.
Once ahead, Inter controlled the game well, dictating the tempo. Masa Tomasevic and Icelandic international Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir looked particularly comfortable in possession with the ball at their feet, and Chiara Robustellini impressed as she pushed up well from left back.
Inter could have been two goals to the good just minutes later when a mix up in the box saw two attackers get in one other’s way. Later in the half, goalscorer Detruyer almost added to her tally when she won back possession for the visitors before finding forward Benedetta Gilonna who curled her effort wide of the target with only United goalie Kayla Rendell to beat.
Despite being second best in the opening 45 minutes, Newcastle were quite literally a different side in the second half. Making four changes that saw the introduction of Anna Tamminen in goal, Gemma Evans and Aoife Mannion to the centre of defence, and Jordan Nobbs coming on in place of Mollie Lambert.
Those substitutions made an instant impact, and the home side could have been back level inside the first five minutes of the half when Nobbs picked out central striker McGovern. But despite being unmarked inside the six-yard box, she was denied a goal when Inter’s Icelandic goalie Cecilia Runarsdottir pulled off an outstanding save from point-blank range.
Another three changes were made on the hour mark with Jessie Gale and Leanne Kiernan coming into the wide positions and Katie Bradley into central midfield. Once again the changes seemed to create an immediate impact, with Gale, who is on a season long loan from Arsenal, bearing down on goal with what was her first touch, before being denied by Runarsdottir who stole the ball from her feet just as the teenager forward attempted to go round her.
Two further changes on 67 minutes saw Freya Gregory and Charlotte Wardlaw come on in the full back berths while Martha Thomas and Ashanti Akpan also entered the fray late on.
Kiernan soon made an impression on the game when she sent a clever lofted ball over to McGovern in the box, but the latter’s half volley was hit straight at Runarsdottir.
Although Newcastle had given it a good go to get back on level terms, Internazionale ensured they would return to Lombardia with the win, when substitute striker Elisa Polli curled home a perfect finish inside the box following a smart cut back from Benedetta Glionna who raced onto a long ball out of defence down the right channel.
Photo by Adam Mackman via The Mag
Newcastle United: Kayla Rendell (Anna Tamminen 46), Jemma Purfield (c) (Gemma Evans 46), Kathleen McGovern (Martha Thomas 77), Mollie Lambert (Jordan Nobbs 46), Emilia Larsson (Jessie Gale 60), Hanna Nemeth (Aoife Mannion 46), Hildur Antonsdóttir (Ashanti Akpan 77), Kaitlyn Torpey (Freya Gregory 67), Lois Joel (Katie Bradley 60), Beth Lumsden (Leanne Kiernan 60), Rachel McLauchlan (Charlotte Wardlaw 67)
Subs not used: Demi Stokes, Oona Sevenius, Casi Gregson, Abbie Richardson
Internazionale: Cecilia Runarsdottir, Elisa Bartoli (Olivia Schough), Samantha Van Diemen (Marija Milinkovic), Ivana Andres Sanz, Chiara Robustellini, Masa Tomasevic (Irene Santi), Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir (Rachele Giudici), Marie Detruyer (Martina Tomaselli), Benedetta Glionna, Haley Bugeja (Elisa Polli), Brittany Raphino (Annika Paz).
Subs not used: Camilla Forcinella, Elena Belli, Lina Magull, Lidia Consolini, Martina Bressan.
Where that leaves Newcastle United Women’s team
With three weeks to go before the 2026-27 season gets underway, the Lady Mags have three more pre-season games to help with their preparations.
All eleven of their summer signings got a run out against Inter, while 22 players were used in all. Demi Stokes and Oona Sevenius were the only senior players not used from the bench. While Lia Cataldo wasn’t named in the squad as she still works on her fitness as she comes back from injury.
Icelandic midfielder Hildur Antonsdóttir looked particularly impressive with some strong challenges throughout. While, 19-year old forward Jessie Gale, was another not afraid to stand her ground, squaring up to veteran Italian full back Elisa Bartoli as the two tussled off the ball. The side showing hints they are not going to be intimidated ahead of the coming season.
What’s coming up
Monday saw the lasses fly out to Spain for a week long training camp, where they take on WSL 1 side Manchester United in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday. Before facing Valencia on Sunday at the Estadio Antonio Puchades.
Their final warm up game will see a first ever friendly at Gateshead International Stadium on Sunday 30th August, when they host WSL 2 newcomers Burnley, a side they will be facing during their league campaign.
Newcastle’s league schedule gets underway the following weekend, when Wolves visit Gateshead on Sunday 6th September.