Newcastle top of the league as Wor Lasses batter the Blades
It’s three from three for Tanya Oxtoby’s high-flying Magpies, as they thumped Sheffield United 4 – 1 on Sunday at the Gateshead International Stadium, to maintain their 100% record and move to nine points.
With Sunderland only drawing 0 – 0 at home to Southampton, and Ipswich Town winning 1 - 0 at Leicester City, it means Wor Lasses are now two points clear at the top of the table after three games. But it is only three games, and there’s still a very, very long way to go.
Tanya Oxtoby, though, was understandably happy at the final whistle, and is enjoying what she is seeing from her side as they continue and grow into her style and shape, and look, at the moment, very together.
Tougher challenges than The Blades, no doubt, lie ahead for Newcastle, but they look sharp, they look hungry, and they also look very talented and cohesive, even at this early stage.
Mags maul Blades to maintain perfect start
A strong opening to the game was rewarded on 15 minutes, when Martha Thomas did well to find Beth Lumsden just inside the box, and Lumsden swivelled superbly to fire left-footed into the bottom corner, giving a static Sian Rogers no chance in the Sheffield goal.
It was two three minutes later, when Aussie Katilyn Torpey netted her first Newcastle goal, combining well with Mollie Lambert before side-footing preciously home with her right foot from 12-yards out.
United, at this stage, threatened to run riot. Full-backs Torpey and skipper Rachel McLauchlan getting forward at every opportunity, and the excellent Thomas causing the Sheffield defence all manner of problems.
But, to the Yorkshire outfit’s credit, they held on doggedly and were then gifted a lifeline on 32 minutes. Jemma Purfield’s back pass was under hit, and although Anna Tamminen got to the ball first, she could only blast her clearance off Lucy Quinn, and the rebound flew into the empty net.
The error stunned Newcastle momentarily, as their visitors grew in confidence. But there were no further goals, as the half-time whistle brought the proceedings to a halt, with Newcastle deservedly in front, but with that error to think about.
They did not think about it for too long. Within 12 seconds of the restart, they restored their two-goal advantage. A brilliant left-wing, left-footed cross from the excellent Torpey, finding Thomas inside the six-yard box, who rose in front of Rogers to plant a firm header into the waiting net.
Thomas, the ex-Tottenham striker, getting off the mark for The Lady Mags in fine and well-deserved style, and she was not finished either, as she added another close-range finish on 53 minutes.
Lumsden, this time, was the architect. A great burst through the middle and weaving run saw her get to the byline, before she pulled a great ball back into the path of the onrushing Thomas. The striker, in the right place at the right time, to finish well from inside the six-yard box.
Again, United threatened to run riot and locked solidly in. Oxtoby perhaps took a bit of the sting out of her own side, making several substitutions as the minutes ticked by. But, speaking in her post-game press conference, she alluded to the need to give as many of her squad minutes.
Biggest test to come on Sunday
Mission accomplished, but she is well aware that it’s Leicester City up next at the Gateshead International Stadium this coming Sunday.
The former WSL 1 side will perhaps give United their biggest test yet, as they look to be the first side to lower the black and white colours this season.
A win for Wor Lasses, on the other hand, will indeed be a real statement of intent, even at this early juncture of the campaign. The much-anticipated, mouth-watering clash kicks off at 2:00pm.
