Newcastle United Women’s team took on Burnley on Sunday in what was their final pre-season warm up before the new campaign gets underway next weekend.
United came into the game having enjoyed a very successful stint in Spain. A week at a training camp in La Manga which included a behind closed doors victory over a Manchester United side that contained England international Ella Toone. Kathleen McGovern scoring the only goal.
The week concluded with the Lasses coming away with some silverware after beating Valencia at the Estadio Antonio Puchades in the Trofeu TM. Jordan Nobbs gave them the lead before the hosts hit back to go 2-1 ahead. Beth Lumsden netted a late equaliser which forced penalties. The Lasses eventually succeeded 8-7.
In other news, Jas McQuade has joined SWPL side Hibernian on loan for the season.
While Jessie Gale is currently with the England U20s squad that’s taking part in the World Cup in Poland. The Young Lionesses are in Group B with Canada, Brazil and Tanzania in Group B. All three games will take place at the Stadion Miejski in Bielsko-Biała, with the top two sides in each group qualifying for the Round of 16 stage. Meaning the forward will miss the start of the Lasses WSL 2 campaign.
Match report
Newly promoted Burnley included some familiar names in their line-up. Not least former United defender Deanna Cooper who was released over the summer. Cooper formed an effective partnership with Maddi Wilde as part of a Burnley back three. With Emma Siddall looking a threat at right wing back and former Durham midfielder Tyler Toland a combative presence in the centre.
Newcastle started with an unfamiliar formation with two up top and essentially playing a 4-2-4 when in possession. They started on the front foot playing some nice attacking football in stark contrast to much of last season.
Photo by Adam Mackman via The Mag
Kathleen McGovern who has been scoring goals for fun during pre-season, sent an inviting cross in from the right flank, but her strike partner Martha Thomas was unable to control for what would have been a simple tap in if she could have found a touch.
Moments later the home side found themselves behind when former Sunderland midfielder Jamie Fenn controlled well from a Thea Paul through ball to beat the onrushing Anna Tamminen in the United goal and then steered past a static Aoife Mannion on the line, who perhaps could have done better.
But Newcastle were only behind for four minutes before McGovern converted from close range, following a Charlotte Wardlaw cross. Thomas was again involved in the build-up down the right before Wardlaw picked out McGovern at the back post.
Katie Bradley, who impressed in the middle of the park for United throughout the first half, showed great feet to slide in McGovern just before the half hour mark. However, the Scottish international striker could only fire wide.
Burnley created chances themselves through midfielder Brenna McPartlan and striker Claudia Mummery-Walker before the half was over. But it remained tied going into the break.
Both sides made a couple of changes at the break with United reverting from that 4-2-4 formation to a more familiar 4-3-3. The introduction of Jordan Nobbs in an attacking midfield role paid dividends when she started pulling the strings. While Rachel McLauchan’s introduction at right back saw more drive down that side of the pitch.
United were soon ahead after Beth Lumsden cut in from the right before playing McGovern in. The striker was able to slot home past the onrushing Kirstie Levell in the Burnley goal and into the bottom corner. It was McGovern’s fourth goal of pre-season.
Burnley had made some changes too with Naomi Hartley bolstering the defence at half-time, shortly followed by Millie Chandarana in midfield on 63 minutes. That allowed the visitors more possession and when Charley Docherty and Jessica Hennesy joined them shortly after into the back line it appeared Burnley were shifting the momentum in their favour.
Photo by Adam Mackman via The Mag
However, McGovern almost inevitably went on to complete her hat-trick in what was a virtuoso performance. She curled home into the top corner from distance with 18 minutes to go giving Levell no chance. Perhaps most impressive were the range of finishes, each one showcasing a different skill set from the former Hibernian striker.
More Burnley changes saw strikers Brooke Cairns and Charlie Chadwick enter the fray, with the latter being denied by a fantastic close range double save late on from Tamminen.
A flurry of late changes for United saw the game out and with it a positive end to their pre-season campaign.
Final score: Newcastle United 3 Burnley 1
Newcastle United: Anna Tamminen, Charlotte Wardlaw (Rachel McLauchlan 46), Aoife Mannion (Hanna Németh 75), Jemma Purfield (c), Kaitlyn Torpey, Hildur Antonsdóttir (Lois Joel 63), Katie Bradley (Ashanti Akpan 86), Mollie Lambert (Jordan Nobbs 46), Kathleen McGovern, Martha Thomas, Beth Lumsden (Leanne Kiernan 63).
Subs not used: Kayla Rendell, Emilia Larsson, Oona Sevenius.
Burnley: Kirstie Levell, Maddi Wilde, Deanna Cooper (Naomi Hartley 46), Jade Richards (Jessica Hennessy 67), Emma Siddall (Charley Docherty 67), Tyler Toland, Brenna McPartlan, Jamie Finn (Millie Chandarana 61), Alethea Paul (Kiera Sena 46), Claudia Mummery-Walker (Charlie Chadwick 75), Christie Harrison-Murray (Brooke Cairns 75).
Subs not used: Jackie Burns.
Where that leaves the Newcastle United Women’s team
United’s pre-season schedule has come to a close with the only defeats coming against top tier side Everton and Champions League side Internazionale. While impressive wins over Rangers, Manchester United and Spanish top flight outfit Valencia along with the success over Burnley sees them enter the 2026-27 WSL 2 season firing on all cylinders.
While pre-season form can’t be taken too seriously, if the Lasses carry that into their league campaign they will undoubtedly be among the favourites for promotion.
What’s coming up
Newcastle United Women’s team league schedule gets underway this coming weekend, when Wolves visit Gateshead International Stadium on Sunday 6th September.