The Newcastle United Women’s team went into their latest League Cup game looking for their first win in the competition this season, with three defeats from three group games (of six in total) so far.
Manager Tanya Oxtoby selected a strong side to take on what was a pitiful Durham side at South Shields, as the Lasses collected their first points in the Subway Players League Cup.
Match Report
The Newcastle United Women’s team scored five goals for the first time under Tanya Oxtoby as they tore the woeful Wearsiders apart.
However, despite the visitors dominating from kick-off Durham did take a shock lead on 14 minutes when a scramble in front of goal from Lucy Watson’s corner wasn’t cleared and United goalie Kayla Rendell was unable to keep it out at the near post with the ball somewhat fortuitously crept over the line.
Durham were buoyed by that goal and started to play more physically going forward, leaving themselves exposed at the back, which played perfectly into the hands of Newcastle who started to tear them apart.
Newcastle were effective at moving the ball quickly and nearly took the lead when top scorer Martha Thomas was played through before drawing two defenders with her. A clever back heel set up the on-rushing Beth Lumsden in the area but her strike lacked accuracy and sailed wide of the far post.
With the Lasses finding their groove and Durham left appealing for offside, Lumsden pounced and raced towards the byline, before setting up Kathleen McGovern from six yards out, but the Scottish international was inches away from making contact.
Their persistence finally paid off though soon after and they were level by the mid-point of the half. Thomas latched onto a defence-splitting pass from Mollie Lambert, racing through on goal, holding off Durham captain Sarah Wilson before guiding her effort into the far corner.
Durham’s goal scorer tried her luck again soon after as she shot from the edge of the box and forced Rendell into a low save, with the ball squibbing free and only just going around the post. Perhaps two slices of luck were too much to ask for by the home side.
Straight away Newcastle went back on the attack. From a quickly taken throw-in Thomas found Lumsden in space, with the flying winger able to run and cut the ball back to Jordan Nobbs who looked to have swept home only for the ball to narrowly drift wide.
But with less than ten minutes before half time Newcastle eventually grabbed their go-ahead goal. Nobbs was at the heart of it as she picked out Lumsden down the left flank who in turn cut inside onto her weaker foot and curled home in off the far post for 2-1.
Nobbs could have made it a two goal advantage just before the break as she was found between two defenders. But her cross could only be glanced on by Thomas who hit the underside of the bar.
Five minutes into the second half and the Lasses did have their third goal. Lumsden turned inside Grace Ede before sending in an inch perfect cross for Thomas who slipped past her marker and volleyed home from twelve yards out.
It soon became 4-1 when Nobbs found Lumsden on the edge of the box, before the latter allowed the ball to bounce and fired home with Durham’s goalie Anna King powerless to stop it.
The scoring was complete when a Katie Bradley corner was sliced by Jade Pennock into her own net.
A truly comprehensive victory against a side still looking for their first points in either competition this season. Although perhaps Durham can always say they have appeared on hit TV show Ted Lasso.
Newcastle United: Kayla Rendell, Charlotte Wardlaw, Gemma Evans, Aoife Mannion, Kaitlyn Torpey, Lois Joel, Mollie Lambert (Hildur Antonsdóttir 83), Jordan Nobbs (Katie Bradley 65), Beth Lumsden (Oona Sevenius 65), Kathleen McGovern (Jessie Gale 65), Martha Thomas (Freya Gregory 59).
Subs not used: Soffia Kelly, Jemma Purfield, Emilia Larsson, Abbie Richardson
Durham: Anna King, Grace Ayre, Sarah Wilson, Lauren Briggs, Amber Keegan Stobbs, Eloise Morran (Rachel Lowe 74), Beth Hepple, Grace Ede (Angela Addison 74), Lucy Watson (Dee Bradley 74), Jade Pennock, Grace Collinson (Olivia Fergusson 59).
Subs not used: Cat Sheppard, Maddy McComasky, Lucy Noble, Emma Brown
Where that leaves Newcastle United Women’s team
Despite Newcastle’s emphatic win, it’s still unlikely they will progress to the knockout stages of this cup competition.
They have two games remaining, albeit both at home, but one is against runaway leaders Manchester United.
What’s coming up
Back to the important stuff and top of the second tier Newcastle return to League action on Sunday, 8th November with Burnley set to visit at St James’ Park.
It will be the first of seven scheduled games at SJP this season.
After six matches of a 22 game league season, the Newcastle United Women’s team are top on 16 points.
It is vital they end the season there, as only the team that finishes top will be guaranteed promotion to the Super League.