Newcastle United Women played their final league match of the season on Saturday.
A home derby match against Durham at the Gateshead International Stadium.
Just a few hours before kick-off to this final game of the season, shock news broke that Newcastle midfielder Molly Pike has made the decision to retire from football due to personal reasons.
Bournemouth-born Molly joined the club last summer from Southampton and went on to make 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times, including on her competitive debut.
Molly saying: “I’m incredibly proud to have represented Newcastle United and this isn’t a decision I have taken lightly. Choosing to step away from football isn’t a reflection of my time at the club, it’s an entirely personal decision I have made in order to prioritise my own wellbeing.”
Then adding: “I’d like to thank everybody at the club who has made me feel so welcome and supported me throughout my season here – I wish you all every success in the future. I also need to mention the fans, who have been incredible home and away throughout the season. Your passion and dedication following us around the country and being right behind us every game is something I’ll never forget.”
The Lasses manager Tanya Oxtoby made just one change from last week. With Finnish international Oona Sevenius coming in for Freya Gregory.
Match Report
United’s final game of the season, played in warm conditions, had a typical end-of-season feel to it with perhaps understandably players’ minds already on the beach.
Photo by Adam Mackman via The Mag
The game had few real chances of note. Jordan Nobbs watched her header drop just wide of Catriona Sheppard’s goal from a Jemma Purfield long ball early on before Beth Lumsden picked out Morgan Gautrat at the back post. But the US international’s attempted volley was comfortably saved.
Despite creating next to nothing throughout the game, Durham scored the only goal just before half time when former Newcastle captain Amber Keegan Stobbs controlled Michaela Foster’s ball through to her, before cutting inside United defender Aoife Mannion and lobbing into the net.
If the first half saw few scoring chances than the second saw even less. The visitors got eleven players behind the ball while Newcastle found it difficult to break them down. The only chance of note for the lasses coming from a Lumsden shot from outside the box which was dragged just past the post.
Photo by Adam Mackman via The Mag
Durham’s only other chances saw Mollie Lambert blaze high over the bar after she failed to compose herself in the box. While a lapse in concentration by the home side left Michaela Foster unmarked in the area only for the defender to head over.
The final effort from Newcastle saw Demi Stokes find substitute Emilia Larsson, who fired over on the volley after the ball sat up just as she pulled the trigger.
Newcastle United: Anna Tamminen, Demi Stokes (c), Jordan Nobbs, Jemma Purfield, Morgan Gautrat (Lois Joel 66), Emma Kelly, Deanna Cooper, Oona Sevenius (Freya Gregory 54), Aoife Mannion, Beth Lumsden, Emily Murphy (Emilia Larsson 54)
Subs not used: Hannah Hawkins, Shania Hayles, Małgorzata Grec, Ashanti Akpan, Jorja Fox, Abbie Richardson
Photo by Adam Mackman via The Mag
Where that leaves Newcastle United Women
The season has now come to a close with Newcastle finishing sixth in the WSL 2 table with 33 points, one place lower than last season. The lasses were eleven points off an automatic promotion spot and nine points off a play-off place. Saturday’s defeat was to a Durham side who end the season third bottom. On a positive note, only second placed Crystal Palace and third placed Charlton Athletic lost fewer games, even champions Birmingham lost a game more.
What’s coming up
A much needed break before the serious business of summer recruitment gets underway. There are rumours Internazionale Feminile will visit St James’ Park in what is the traditional Sela Cup weekend. That will form the main part of their pre-season schedule.