Newcastle win again as Lasses end WSL 2 hoodoo in style at Maiden Castle
The Durham jinx is over. No longer can the blue-woe army continue their bragging rights over the black-and-white army after Sunday’s delightful derby day for Newcastle United. Tanya Oxtoby’s side claimed a very convincing and, in truth, comfortable win over their local rivals.
Both teams went into the game with 100% records. United having won all four of their WSL 2 games and Durham the complete opposite. At the end of the 90 minutes, Newcastle’s 3-0 away win kept both records going. Unfortunately for Durham, not the record they wanted to keep.
But for Wor Lasses, another massive step forward as they completed the five-match run of games into the international break in some style. It’s now five from five, 14 goals scored and only one conceded. A superb start to the campaign which could hardly have gone better.
It was also the Lady Mags’ first win over Durham in the WSL 2 at the fifth attempt. Another pleasing factor for Tanya Oxtoby, who admitted that the artificial surface, coupled with another windy afternoon, made conditions difficult.
But she was delighted with the way her talented team adjusted and adapted to the conditions they faced. It was not ideal and perhaps United did not flow in the way they have done in previous games. But they always had too much in their locker against a side that looks to be in real trouble.
Both camps will probably point to the fact that it’s still only five games in and a lot will change, but at the moment not a lot is changing as Newcastle keep winning and Durham keep losing. For the home side, they need to analyse, recharge and consider their position during the enforced break.
For United, and in particular Oxtoby and her coaching staff, they will be praying that those going away to represent their countries will all return safely from their travels with a clean bill of health, ready for the next block of games.
Durham 0-3 Newcastle
The early exchanges saw neither side able to establish much momentum or create chances, but when the game did finally open up, it was Wor Lasses that began to dominate, utilising their pace on the counterattack as they continually broke up Durham’s attempts to get forward easily.
Beth Lumsden, once again in flying form, drove past Lauren Briggs into the box, firing high past a despairing Cat Sheppard with an excellent effort, but was cruelly denied by the crossbar.
However, the Lasses didn’t have to wait much longer for the opening goal, which came on 34 minutes. A dangerous in-swinging corner from Jemma Purfield was only palmed down into the six-yard box by Sheppard.
Hildur Antonsdóttir reacted the quickest, smashing the ball home into the roof of the net from very close range for her first goal with the club to give United a deserved 1-0 lead at the half-time break.
Durham had their only real chance of the game on the hour mark when Briggs crept in unmarked at the back post. She met the ball with a volley destined for the far corner, but Anna Tamminen got down low and tipped the effort around the post.
United, though, made it 2-0 on 66 minutes. Katie Bradley’s header in midfield was flicked by Jordan Nobbs into the path of Martha Thomas, who sprinted through one-on-one but was denied by a great block by Sheppard.
The rebound fell to Nobbs, who took a lovely touch to steady herself before firing her 12-yard follow-up shot beyond the diving Sheppard to double United’s lead.
Lumsden continued to cause chaos for the Durham defence and should have had an assist when, well found by Nobbs in the box, she rolled the ball to Thomas on the six-yard line. But with the goal at her mercy, Thomas lost her footing and Sarah Wilson hacked the ball away on the line.
But Thomas was not to be denied and netted her fifth goal of the season on 87 minutes. Captain Rachel McLauchlan came forward with intent, threading Lumsden in down the left, and the winger’s low cross was calmly swept home by Thomas from six yards out.
Even in injury time, United kept pouring forward and almost added to their tally on two occasions. Kaitlyn Torpey drove forward to set up substitute Kathleen McGovern, who curled an effort just over the bar from the edge of the area.
And with virtually the last kick of the game, Lumsden was again the provider, this time setting up another substitute, Jessie Gale, with a great chance for her first United goal from eight yards out. But Sheppard did well to dive low and keep out the effort.
On the final whistle, the Durham players slumped dejectedly to their artificial turf as their unbeaten run against Newcastle came to an end. Meanwhile, the United players celebrated with the very large contingent of away fans that had travelled the short distance to Maiden Castle.
Top of the pile heading into the break
The biggest question on most people’s lips, given the way the respective seasons have started for both clubs, is whether it will be the last time the Lasses visit Maiden Castle in a competitive fixture, one way or another.
But for Oxtoby and her players, it’s one target successfully completed as they go into the international break top of the table and setting a platform for the next block of games.
The United gaffer will not, however, be that relaxed as no fewer than 14 players head out on international duty.
She will look on anxiously and have her fingers crossed that her players survive the rigours of their time away and can still return fresh and ready to go again on the promotion charge.
