Newcastle United Women – Only 1 win away from title and promotion after stunning win | OneFootball

Newcastle United Women got back to winning ways on Sunday, putting behind them the disappointment of losing the FAWNL Cup Final last week in Luton.

A new record Kingston Park attendance of 4,256, witnessed a first home game in five weeks.

There was another party atmosphere as fans arrived to the game in fancy dress, with costumes ranging from Super Mario to the Honey Monster!

For the first time this season both end terraces had fans residing in them, with the North Stand in particular packed with flag waving supporters.

Before kick off a huge flag was sent across the West Stand, which brought back memories of the early Keegan days of the 1990s.

The last time Liverpool Feds visited Tyneside was in April 2022 when they claimed a 1-1 draw which all but sealed their promotion at United’s expense.

Whilst it was a huge disappointment at the time, the two clubs’ fortunes have changed massively since then. The Merseysiders, who are a solid mid-table outfit, will be happy to consolidate at this level for years to come, while the United juggernaut continues to gather pace.

Newcastle were dominant throughout the game as they eased to a 5-1 win without even having to leave second gear.

They made four changes from the side that started at Kenilworth Road, with Liv Watt coming back into defence, Elyssia Boddy starting ahead of Emma Kelly in midfield after the latter was a slight injury doubt and Beth Lumsden returned to the right wing after being cup tied for the final. There was also a return up front for Paige Bailey-Gayle who came in for Bridget Galloway.

United wasted little time in asserting their superiority and were soon ahead inside the first ten minutes, when defensive lynchpin Charlotte Potts played a great ball out to the right for Paige Bailey-Gayle, who was able to drive into the box before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.

The Jamaican-international forward doubled Newcastle’s lead just after the half hour mark when she was picked out by a Beth Lumsden long ball, which played the striker in behind the Liverpool Feds defence. After rounding the keeper, Bailey-Gayle rolled the ball into an empty net for 2-0.

She very nearly completed her hat-trick before half time but her latest effort was fired wide of the target.

However, Newcastle would still take a three-goal advantage with them into the break when Hannah Greenwood met Elyssia Boddy’s corner with an excellent header three minutes into stoppage time.

Not to be denied, Bailey-Gayle completed her hat-trick eight minutes into the second half after she flicked on Beth Lumsden’s cross to Katie Barker. The left winger returned the ball to the Lady Mags striker who controlled before slotting past the Feds keeper.

With the game essentially won, United brought on all five substitutes. There was a concern that midfielder Georgia Gibson took a knock after she was seen leaving the stadium on crutches.

Feds pulled a goal back with 12 minutes to go when Aleesha Collins calmly slotted past United goalie Grace Donnelly when through one-on-one.

However, two minutes later Newcastle restored their four-goal advantage when Captain Amber Keegan Stobbs delivered an outstanding chipped pass through to substitute Jas McQuade who took a touch before burying the ball past Rachael Norney in the Feds net.

With Forest being held to a 1-1 draw against East Midlands rivals Derby County at Pride Park, it means Newcastle now only need one more win from their final three games to guarantee promotion.

Their next game is in two weeks’ time against Huddersfield Town at Kingston Park, for what is their last home game of the season.

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