Not Here To Be Popular

We are, indeed, here to compete. This past Sunday in front of 3,221 fans at Kingston Park (last season's average attendance was 2,811) Newcastle United Women played their long awaited first home match in the Barclays Women's Championship against Sheffield United Women and came away with their first win in the current format of the second tier of the women's football pyramid. 

Before kick off a minute's applause was held as a tribute to long time NUW photographer Colin Lock who sadly passed away this summer. Again, thank you for everything you did not only for NUW but to raise the profile of the women's game as a whole and encouraging me to write this blog. RIP Colin. 

Photo credit: Gavan McNally

In my match preview post, I mentioned I'd like to see Beth Lumsden get more game time than she did in Bromely on the opening weekend of the season against London City Lionesses. Well, Lumsden was back in the starting 11 for Sunday's match and it took her all of 5 minutes to go into the history books, scoring NUW's first home goal in the Championship. 

Jas McQuade won a tackle on the edge of the Sheffield United penalty area, the loose ball was picked up by captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs who found new signing Shania Hayles in the box. Hayles' first touch took her past her marker and she crossed to Lumsden at the far post who connected with a spectacular diving volley to put NUW ahead. In her post match interview, Beth commented - "Should've put my head on it but I think I'm more reliable with my feet than my head. So I'm glad, I was relieved when it went in the back of the net". As was everyone in attendance. Fantastic goal from a hugely talented footballer who I hope to see at NUW for many seasons to come. 

The 8 minute mark again saw a minute's applause, this time in memory of Maddy Cusack, the former Sheffield United vice captain who very sadly passed away on 20th September 2023. Cusack wore the #8 shirt for the Blades. RIP Maddy. 

Much of the next 10 minutes was spent in midfield with no clear chances for either team. Long range efforts from new signing Lois Joel, making her home debut, and McQuade didn't require any attention from the Sheffield keeper and a through ball that Amy Andrews couldn't quite get on the end of would've put her one on one with the keeper. Similarly at the other end nothing that caused Claudia Moan any concern. 

On 16 minutes, Lumsden intercepted a stray pass on the edge of the box as the visitors tried to play out from the back, she picked out Hayles in the box but her powerful shot on target was well saved by Sian Rogers. 

Hayles almost made it 2-0 shortly after the half hour mark. Stobbs' diagonal ball through midfield split the Sheffield defence wide open. Hayles, running onto the ball, got clear of the back four and into the penalty area but dragged her shot narrowly wide of the far post. 

As half time approached Hayles did make it 2-0, a second goal in two matches for the in form forward. Lois Joel, impressive in her home debut, cut out an attempted Sheffield clearance, made it to the bye line and her cross found Hayles at the near post who headed home.

Into the second half, an early chance for the visitors to pull one back. Moan couldn’t fully clear a 48tb minute corner, the ball fell to defender Leanne Cowan whose effort hit the bar before it was cleared.

Lumsden almost doubled her tally for the day on 55 minutes, controlling a clearance from a Jas McQuade cross, Lumsden brought the ball down and hit a half volley narrowly wide. 

Straight back up the other end of the pitch, forward Grace Foy played midfielder Maria Farrugia in on goal but she was denied by Moan. Encouraging start to the second half for the away team.

67 minutes saw former Sheffield United winger Sophie Haywood replace goal scorer Shania Hayles and Charlotte Potts make way for Hannah Greenwood.

Moan again denied Sheffield an opening goal on 76 minutes, making an impressive stop at her front post to deny midfielder Ellen Molloy.

Further substitutions followed, Olivia Watt replacing Lois Joel and Rachel Furness for Amber-Keegan Stobbs, Becky Langley maybe looking to see out the match with the two goal lead intact.

A final substitution on 85 minutes, goal scorer Beth Lumsden replaced by Katie Barker, making her 100th NUW appearance, following an elbow to the face from Farrugia, fortunately all appears to be well on Beth’s part. The visitors certainly turned up the physicality in the second half, a stark contrast to the attacking football played by NUW.

7 minutes of stoppage time, largely down to Lumsden receiving treatment, but no chances of note for either side.

Newcastle United Women: Claudia Moan, Lois Joel (Liv Watt 76), Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Potts (Hannah Greenwood 67), Demi Stokes, Elysia Boddy, Amber-Keegan Stobbs (Rachel Furness 76), Jasmine McQuade, Beth Lumsden (Katie Barker 85), Amy Andrews, Shania Hayles (Sophie Haywood 67)

Subs not used: Hannah Hawkins, Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson, Isabella Sibley

Following the full time whistle, Charlotte Potts received a personalised Player of the Season print in respect of the 2023/24 promotion season. The poll was carried out by members of the Newcastle United Women Fan Group on Facebook and the print was created by group member Cameron Morton. Similar prints and other merchandise can be purchased at Cameron's Heads and Volleys XI Etsy store which can be found here

Limited edition 1 of 1 Pottsy player of the season print

My Beth Lumsden print, signed by Beth after last season's final home match.

My Kacie Elson print, signed by Kacie after the London City Lionesses match.

Thank you to Beth and Kacie for the above.

A professional performance from all the players on the pitch, I don’t think any of wor lasses had a bad game. Beth Lumsden gets POTM for me but solid performances from everyone who was involved. 

Possession slightly up from the London City match, 58% compared to 54% and 8 shots on target of 16 total shots compared to 3 on target of 9 shots.

Seemingly no injuries during the match and Emma Kelly back in training so lots of positives. 

Next up is the away trip to Portsmouth on Sunday. Wednesday 2nd October sees NUW return to Kingston Park for the first league cup match of the season against WSL side Everton, tickets are available here