AC Milan put to the sword – Yet another win at St James’ Park for Newcastle United women’s team | OneFootball

The Lady Mags are still at the beginning of their pre-season but made their sixth appearance at St James’ Park on Saturday, this time against AC Milan, making it six wins in the process.

There was a new formation, out went last season’s 3-4-3 box four midfield and in came a traditional 4-3-3, but with players in different positions to what we have become used to.

Lia Cataldo and Katie Barker switched from the left flank to play down the right, while winger Beth Harris was operating in a central attacking midfield position.

There was even a rare outing in goal for last season’s back-up goalie Hannah Hawkins

Five of Becky Langley’s seven new signings started, with the other two appearing from the bench later on. One of the players making her debut was England Lioness Demi Stokes, who was also named captain ahead of last season’s leadership duo, Grace Donnelly and Amber Keegan-Stobbs. The left-back looked a class act throughout, as did Rachel Furness who made some good plays down the left channel, and was making her first appearance for Newcastle since 2010.

There was a relatively low crowd at kick off of less than 10,000, but the stands filled up as the game went on, doubling in size by the final whistle. It was also very hot for the 1pm start with scheduled water breaks at the midway points of both halves.

AC Milan looked classy on the ball early on with some excellent close control, the kind you would expect from an Italian side, but it was Newcastle who took the lead when Shania Hayles did well down the left to release Elyssia Boddy, who curled a shot into the top corner of the net as she cut in. It was the team’s first meaningful shot at goal.

However, the lead wouldn’t last for long, with two goals from AC Milan arriving four minutes apart. Gloria Marinelli who worked hard down the right flank with Giorgia Arrigoni, rolled a low cross over to the back post for striker Mikola Karczewska to tap in. Newcastle were slow to react to the talented Marinelli for that goal and were guilty again moments later when the AC Milan winger dispossessed Charlotte Potts just outside the area before finding Valentina Cernoia. The Italian international was able to control before dispatching a shot past Hawkins into the bottom corner.

AC Milan continued to control the game with Nadine Sorelli dominating in the air from central defence and Cernoia floating in a great cross soon after, which was cleared for a corner.

Newcastle did end the half brightly though and could have gone in at the break level, when Furness first won a corner, then nearly powered home a header from the resulting kick, but her effort was cleared off the line by the ever impressive Arrigoni.

A flurry of substitutions, plus stoppages in play during the second half, meant neither side got any momentum going. Perhaps the heat played a part in that too. There were some flashes of skill though. Milan’s left back, Angelica Soffia, showed quick feet when driving forward and dancing past Newcastle’s midfield to drive her side forward. While Valentina Donolato soon made an impact after arriving from the bench.

Then almost out of nothing Newcastle were level. Super sub Jas McQuade stole the ball back from the AC Milan midfield, before playing a ball through for Amy Andrews. The former Durham striker, poked the ball past the last defender before firing past substitute goalie Noemi Fedele with an emphatic finish. Birmingham-born Andrews, took the applause and celebrated in front of the Gallowgate after her 88th minute equaliser.

Newcastle could have won in it the seventh minute of stoppage time with a free kick. Georgia Gibson at her favourite end of the ground hit the wall with her initial attempt, before her follow up was saved.

With no further goals, we moved onto a penalty shoot-out.

AC Milan went first, but saw their second kick from Marta Mascarello saved by Hawkins,then their fifth and final shot from captain Evelyn Ijeh hit the bar. Newcastle scored all four of their penalties. Amy Andrews, Sophie Haywood, Georgia Gibson and Deanna Cooper all converting for a 4-3 win.

A win is a win as they say and against top quality European opposition you certainly can’t complain.

Manager Becky Langley fired a warning to the rest of the league during the post-match press conference, saying the team is “Unapologetically Ambitious”.

New signing Amy Andrews got off to the best possible start to her Newcastle career with a goal on her debut, before stating “I want to win the Golden Boot and I want to win Player of the Season. Newcastle feels like home already, and I already feel like an adopted Geordie. I’m ready to give my all for this club.”

Impressive words indeed. Newcastle United mean business and they will certainly be among the promotion favourites this season.

Final scoreline:

Newcastle United 2 AC Milan 2 (Newcastle United win 4-3 on penalties)

Newcastle United Women:

Hannah Hawkins; Lia Cataldo (Olivia Watt 81), Charlotte Potts (Hannah Greenwood 81), Deanna Cooper, Demi Stokes; Beth Lumsden (Jasmine McQuade 46), Rachel Furness (Amber-Keegan Stobbs 67), Elysia Boddy (Georgia Gibson 81); Katie Barker (Sophie Haywood 46), Amy Andrews, Shania Hayles (Kacie Elson 52). Not Used: Grace Donnelly GK, Claudia Moan GK.

AC Milan Women:

Laura Giuliani (Noemi Fedele); Giorgia Arrigoni (Valery Vigilucci), Nadine Sorelli (Allyson Swaby), Julie Piga, Angelica Soffia; Malgorzata Anna Mesjasz (Valentina Donolato), Valentina Cernoia (Marta Mascarello), Evelyn Ijeh; Gloria Marinelli, Nikola Karczewska, Nesrine Bahlouli (Chante’-Mary Dompig). Not Used: Lavinia Tornaghi GK.