Sela Cup 2025

 I'm not sure many, including myself, expected the Spanish acquisition of the Sela Cup but based on yesterday's 90 minutes perhaps more of us should have done. Atlético Madrid Femenino are by far the strongest opposition Becky Langley's team have come up against so far, a level above both FA Cup & Subway Cup opponents Manchester United and last season's Sela cup opponents AC Milan. But as Langley and multiple players have said in match programmes or interviews on the official club site, this is the level of opponent they want to be playing regularly as soon as possible. 

All good things must come to an end and yesterday's result sees Newcastle United Women's unbeaten run at St. James' Park come to an end after a draw last season against Southampton and wins against Alnwick Town Ladies, Barnsley, Bradford City, West Brom (2023 Sela Cup), Portsmouth, AC Milan (penalties, 2024 Sela Cup) and most recently Sunderland. 

Las Colchoneras, who were formed in 2001, hold four Liga F / Primera División titles, have twice won the Copa de la Reina, a Supercopa de España Femenina in 2021 and have competed in the Champions League five of the last eight seasons. This past season Atlético finished 3rd in Liga F, were runners up in Copa de la Reina, semifinalists in Supercopa and went out in the qualifying stages of the Champions League. 

NUW put out a strong starting 11 including 3 of this summer's 5 new signings - Aoife Mannion, Jordan Nobbs and Molly Pike. With Małgorzata Grec coming on as a second half substitute Jemma Purfield was the only new signing not involved. 

Not a new signing but after an injury hit 2024/25 season it was nice to see Elysia Boddy back in the starting line up. Similarly Emma Kelly who played the second 45 minutes. 

In a change to last season, NUW started with a back 3 of Mannion, Cooper and Wardlaw rather than a back 4. Mannion in particular showed all her WSL experience putting in a solid performance and not looking at all out of place against this quality of opposition. 

The visitors kept NUW in their own half for much of the first half with chances few and far between for the home side. Molly Pike hitting a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area the only notable first half chance for the lasses. But for a Deanna Cooper block, Atlético would've been ahead inside 10 minutes when Amaiur Sarriegi took advantage of a loose ball, she was almost on the scoresheet again five minutes later but was denied by the goal post. 

The pressure paid off on 18 minutes, a long range shot from Boe Risa getting the better of Claudia Moan. The second, and winning goal, came virtually on the half time whistle. Portales getting in between Jasmine McQuade and Moan to head home from six yards. Personally, no offence to Hannah Hawkins but I'd like to see a new keeper come in before the start of the season who could push Moan for the gloves. 

A more assertive NUW came out for the second half, the closest we came to a home goal came around 5 minutes after the break, Molly Pike getting in behind the Madrid defence and closing in on the Gallowgate End goal only to see her shot "saved" by half time substitute goal keeper Gallardo who seemed to lose track of where the 18 yard box finished and received a straight red. 

In a throwback to Vinnie Jones' 1995 appearance between the sticks for Wimbledon in front of the Gallowgate, as Atlético had changed their keeper at half time outfield player Silvia Lloris took over keeper duties for the remainder of the match. Those of us in Strawberry Corner were hoping for a Beth Lumsden rocket over the wall but a Nobbs free kick was tipped over by Lloris. 

Lumsden played more as a wing back than an out and out winger and exerted more of an influence on the match as the second half progressed. Despite the introduction of last season's top scorer Shania Hayles for the last half hour it was last season's Player's Player of the Season who looked the most likely to either create a chance or score her first St. James' Park goal. 

Area's to work on definitely but there's still two pre-season matches to come against Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest. A day removed from the match I don't feel as negative as I did upon leaving the ground. It could've been a much worse result. Pre-season friendlies are set up for a reason, we've come through it with seemingly no injuries and got valuable experience against a very good side. We may not have caused either keeper many problems but that will come, some players notably looked rusty but again that's why pre-season exists and it'll have given management an idea of where we need to strengthen, for me goal keeper, central midfield and a striker. 

Player of the Match: Not an easy choice, whilst I wouldn't say anyone had a bad game at the same time not many stood out either. A toss up between Mannion and Lumsden for player of the first half, ultimately PotM going to Lumsden as she played the full 90 compared to Mannion's 67 and got better as the match went on. 

Newcastle United Women: Claudia Moan, Aoife Mannion (Małgorzata Grec 67), Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Wardlaw, Jordan Nobbs (Lia Cataldo 71), Elysia Boddy (Lois Joel 45), Jasmine McQuade (Emma Kelly 45), Beth Lumsden, Demi Stokes (C) (Freya Gregory 67), Emily Murphy (Shania Hayles 59), Molly Pike.

Subs not used: Hannah Hawkins, Ava Chapman, Amelia Freeman.

Great pre-match gig at St. James' STACK from Howay Again, hope to see more of them this season.