Coming Up In January

With league football finally returning this weekend after what seems to have been an eternity of a winter break - we haven't played a league match since the 1-1 draw with Southampton at St. James' Park way back on 17th November 2024, a whole 9 weeks ago - Sheffield United and Portsmouth are the opposition for Newcastle United Women this month which gives us fans the opportunity to watch some promising up and coming younger players.

The Blades have headed to Merseyside and the WSL to get their January transfer window underway bringing in Everton pair Issy Hobson and Ellie Jones on loan for the remainder of the season. Both aged 17, Hobson is already in the record books. On 28 April 2024, the centre back scored a stoppage time equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for Everton against Arsenal becoming, at 16 years and 180 days, the youngest goal scorer in WSL history, a record that still stands as of this weekend. Following a lone appearance for England u17's, Hobson so far has 3 caps for the u19 squad. 

Jones, a midfielder / forward, had quite the introduction to senior football, making her debut in Everton's league cup tie against Manchester United before playing the full 90 minutes in the Merseyside derby in the same competition three weeks later. 

In her first interview as a Blade, Jones stated she is "excited to just keep playing and actually play some minutes and get some game time". 

Hobson and Jones will wear #6 and #14 respectively. 

Sheffield's stand out player for me so far this season, by far, is 24 year old Maltese international midfielder, #9 Maria Farrugia. Already holding 49 full senior caps, Farrugia was a new signing for United in the 2024 summer transfer window but she is not new to the Championship or to the Northeast. 

Coming up through Sunderland's Foundation of Light after relocating from Malta to the UK, she made her debut for Sunderland in February 2019 going on to score 17 goals in 57 appearances for the club between 2019 and 2022. She was named FA Women's Championship Player of the Week for the first week of the 2021-22 season. 

A move to local rivals Durham followed and Farrugia made 27 appearances during the 2022-23 season in the blue of Durham but failed to find the back of the net. A move away from the Northeast saw Farrugia score 3 goals in 25 matches last season for Lewes whilst winning January 2024 goal of the month and March 2024 player of the month honours prior to joining Sheffield United. 

So far this season, Maria is joint 3rd top scorer in the Championship with 4 goals (8 goals including cup matches), one ahead of our own Beth Lumsden and two behind leading scorers Isobel Goodwin (London City Lionesses), Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City) and NUW's Shania Hayles. Along the way Farrugia has won Championship Goal of the Month in October and November 2024 and Championship Player of the Month in October 2024. 

It's fair to say our old friends Portsmouth have found life in the Championship far more difficult than we have so far this season. Just a quick side note, this Sunday marks the one year anniversary of the arrival of "Super" Beth Lumsden, the Mackem Slayer, from Portsmouth.

Perhaps looking to reinforce their defence going into the second half of the season, Pompey have brought in defender Jasmine "Jazz" Bull from Bristol City for the remainder of the season. The 22 year old has spent her entire career with the Robins up until her move to Portsmouth, making 14 appearances during their Championship winning season. Bull has also earned an international call up, debuting for Scotland u23 in November 2023. 

Finally, Pompey have recently announced the loan signing of England u15, u16, u18 and u19 forward Emma Thompson from Southampton. 

20 year old Thompson was Chelsea's leading scorer in the 2021/22 WSL Academy League. After making several appearance for the Chelsea first team, Thompson went on loan to Lewes before permanently signing for Southampton in 2023. 

In an interview with the club website, Portsmouth manager Jay Sadler stated "She has the speed, can combine, has a real eye for goal, can defend and can press. It makes us more unpredictable and gives us further options in the forward line." Who does that remind you of lasses fans?