This Is The One

"Oh, this is the one / This is the one / I've waited for". The song may be mainly associated with a wee club in the Northwest but the track from Stone Roses' classic debut album hits the nail squarely on the head when it comes to today's Wear-Tyne derby, the first time such a match has taken place in the Barclays Women's Championship. From the moment promotion from the FAWNL Northern Premier Division was confirmed, I'm sure I'm not the only NUW fan who anxiously awaited confirmation of the dates of the Wear-Tyne and Tyne-Wear derbies this season. Today, the first of those has arrived.

Getting the elephant in the room out of the way first, the result against Durham at Kingston Park last weekend was not ideal prep for today's considerably bigger derby match. Maybe it was the knock on effect from the league cup match during the week against WSL opposition Everton, but something wasn't quite right last weekend. NUW didn't create the chances they normally do in a match and weren't as clinical as normal with the chances they did create. Huge credit to Tatiana Saunders, much like Peter Schmeichel's legendary performance at St. James' Park in March 1996, Saunders was simply unbeatable in the Durham goal, nothing was getting past her. Yes, last week's starting 11 caused some, at times, lively debate both in the stands and on social media. I readily admit, I questioned it myself. But I'll not dwell on that. The lasses that were involved, either starting or off the bench, all put in a shift whilst trying to come away with at least a point. Errors were made but it's to be expected, this league is a big jump in quality compared to where we've been, these things will happen. Durham used every bit of their Championship experience to game manage that win and fair play to them, if it had been the other way round I've no doubt we'd do the same. 

That being said, on to hopefully happier times ahead. Becky Langley, Demi Stokes, Emma Kelly, Amber-Keegan Stobbs and Elysia Boddy have all spoken or done interviews with Aaron Hindhaugh for the club website since last weekend and there's an overwhelming sense across the board of we'll learn from this loss, it hurts, but we aren't going to dwell on it and are putting everything into getting a result at the Stadium of Light. 

The omens are good going into the derby. Going right back to January of this year, after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United followed by our only league loss of the season, we beat AFC Fylde 1-4 in the FAWNL Cup. An appropriate score given today's opponents. After defeat in the FAWNL Cup Final, we beat Liverpool Feds 5-1, again, a fitting score. This past Wednesday was the 36th anniversary of the passing of NUFC icon "Wor" Jackie Milburn, the leading NUFC goal scorer in men's Tyne Wear derby matches. Yesterday was the birthday of Shola "the mackem slayer" Ameobi, the second highest NUFC goal scorer in men's Tyne Wear derby games.

Sunderland, to give them their due, have played a huge role in Northeast women's football. As much as it hurts to say, possibly a bigger role than Newcastle United, although we are starting to catch up. Household names Jill Scott, Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze, Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth all got their starts in professional football on Wearside. The clubs' controversially unsuccessful bid to join the FA WSL in 2011 is widely considered to have damaged the development of Northeast women's football for years to come as star players departed the region. As Becky Langley has said, hopefully, soon, players will no longer have to leave the Northeast to play for England. 

Despite the inconsistent start to this season, one win, one draw, two losses and -7 goal difference Sunderland were in contention for promotion until the penultimate match of last season. I don't expect this to be an easy match by any means.  

Something I like about the women's game, although there is rivalry between fans of different clubs it hasn't boiled over into the hatred that can at times exist in the men's game. Someone who could, and did, unite fans of all clubs in the region was Colin Lock. How he would've loved to be pitch side with his camera today. I hope you can look down and enjoy the match this afternoon Colin. A lovely touch from Sunderland donating a proportion of all ticket sales to Anthony Nolan, a meaningful charity to Colin.

Similarly, on the subject of uniting fans, the sadly short life of Bradley Lowery showed football at it's very best. Local rivalry aside, massive respect to Jermain Defoe for how he was with Bradley. That young lad showed the absolute best of the Northeast football community and has been an inspiration to many, myself included.The Bradley Lowery Foundation has done some amazing fundraising work these past 7 years, further details of the Foundation and their work can be found here Bradley Lowery Foundation .

I wouldn't even try to predict a starting 11 for today, these matches are notoriously unpredictable. I want to say away win but anything can happen in a match of this significance. 

Liam O'Brien over the wall, Scott Sellars in the rain in the shadow of the new Leazes End, An(d)y O'Brien, 4-1 even Chopra scored, 5-1 with Chris Hughton, all Shola's goals, Alexander Isak in the FA Cup....... who earns their place in Geordie folklore this afternoon? For everything she's done for the team. scoring some vital goals in both the two previous promotion seasons, I'd love to see a Kacie Elson winner today. 

I hope there's no bother today and both sets off fans enjoy a historic football match, likely to be a record Barclays Women's Championship attendance. 

Howay the lasses.