Newcastle v Sunderland derby win in front of record crowd- Howay the lasses! | OneFootball

Newcastle v Sunderland, as the Newcastle United Women headed into the Derby off the back of their worst league result of the season last time out, losing away at Durham.

In seventh place with 23 points before Sunday’s kick-off, one place and one point behind Sunderland.

Ticket sales for the game at St James Park went into overdrive ahead of the match and there was a buzz around the Stadium a couple of hours before kick-off.

The Metros were packed too, with match-going fans allowed to travel free to and from the game with a valid match ticket.

Before kick off a giant flag was unfurled across a sold out Gallowgate End, which evoked memories of the promotion season of 1993 under Kevin Keegan.

A banner in the East Stand read ‘Let’s Give It To Them’. Greeting both sets of players as they emerged from the tunnel.

An attendance of 38,502 set a new record for both the Lasses and the Barclays Women’s Championship.

Around 500 in the stadium were from Sunderland, who made more noise than the home fans. One point made was, perhaps all 500 Sunderland fans regularly watch their women’s side in action, whereas the vast majority of the Newcastle supporters would not normally attend games at Kingston Park to roar on the Lady Mags, never mind fit inside the venue.

The game could perhaps be best described as a ‘typical derby’, where clear cut chances were at a premium and every ball was fought for with a thundering tackle. Newcastle did enjoy a great deal more time in their opponent’s half though, throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Beth Lumsden did everything possible to earn the tag of ‘Mackem Slayer’ earlier in the season, with her two goals on Wearside. She looked the most likely to open the scoring early on when she was played in behind the Sunderland defence with an excellent long ball from Demi Stokes. However, visiting goalie Demi Lambourne did well to smother the effort at the Leazes End and kept it scoreless after just two minutes.

Sunderland’s best opportunities arrived when Katy Watson initially picked up a loose ball before Emily Scarr’s attempt from the edge of the area was comfortably gathered by former Black Cats goalie Claudio Moan. Midfielder Natasha Fenton later sent a back post header high and wide of the target from a set piece.

The Lasses continued to pose more questions as the half wore on. Lumsden’s cross to pick out recent new signing Emily Murphy, didn’t trouble Lambourne from a tight angle. Before Rachel Furness’s header was hooked off the line by Sunderland captain and former Newcastle defender, Brianna Westrup.

Straight from the resulting corner, Lumsden and fellow winger Freya Gregory combined for a routine where a short ball played in Stokes at the back post who could only steer her effort wide of the far post.

At half time, the League Cup Trophy was brought out onto the pitch by Newcastle CEO Darren Eales and Bobby Moncur. The last captain to lift any silverware for the club until Bruno last weekend.

After a goalless first half, there was even less to separate the two sides in the second 45. The only chance Sunderland created came on the hour mark, when Watson sent a looping effort over the bar after combining well with Katie Kitching in the area.

The one moment of quality in the game arrived in the 78th minute. Top scorer Shania Hayles, was played in by an intelligent delayed pass from Murphy, who was able to curl a ball inside the Sunderland defence for the Jamaican international to run onto and finish with aplomb in front of the Gallowgate that exploded with a roar of delight. It was Hayles’ 10th goal of the season.

In a game of few chances it was always likely to prove to be the winner, and the strike was indeed worthy to win any game. Newcastle managed the last few minutes well to ensure their unbeaten record at St. James’ Park moves into another season.

The only drama in stoppage time saw Newcastle Manager Becky Langley receive a red card and she was sent from the touchline.

Newcastle United Women: Claudia Moan, Lia Cataldo, Charlotte Wardlaw, Deanna Cooper (Hannah Greenwood 78), Demi Stokes, Rachel Furness, Amber-Keegan Stobbs, Jasmine McQuade, Freya Gregory (Shania Hayles 69), Emily Murphy (Amy Andrews 90), Beth Lumsden (Katie Barker 90)

Subs not used: Grace Donnelly, Hannah Hawkins, Emma Kelly, Lois Joel, Isabella Sibley

Where that leaves NUFC

Newcastle moved up to sixth place with 26 points and now a place above Sunderland. They have a game in hand on most teams, so were they to win that, they would also leapfrog Durham into fourth. However, with just five games remaining they are currently 10 points back on leaders Birmingham City, and nine behind London City in second, who the lasses face this Sunday at Kingston Park.

Anything less than a win will rule out promotion to the WSL for this season, as only the side who finishes top of the table will be promoted.

The celebrations continued well into the evening.

The press conference had ended some 90 minutes after the final whistle, so by the time I arrived at the Stack, there was a sea of black and white, with not an empty seat in sight.

The live band on stage ensured the match going crowd could celebrate what has to be one of the greatest weeks in the club’s history. A long awaited trophy for the men’s team, European football guaranteed for next season. Then the completion of a double over your biggest rivals for the lasses, it doesn’t get much better than that.

What’s coming up

With five games remaining, three of them are at home, against promotion favourites London City and Birmingham City, along with Blackburn Rovers. The two remaining road trips see the lasses visit The Valley to take on Charlton Athletic and to Ewood Park for the return fixture against Blackburn.

There is another international break looming in a couple of weeks for the lasses. Where Emily Murphy, who laid on that excellent assist for the winning goal, will be linking up once again with her country, Ireland.