Lambert strikes late to give Durham derby spoils over Newcastle United | OneFootball

Mollie Lambert’s late winner gave Durham a priceless 1-0 win at Newcastle United, who suffered their first defeat of the Barclays Women’s Championship season.

The midfielder’s close-range finish in the 89th minute was enough to secure all three points for Durham, despite multiple opportunities for both teams to grab goals beforehand.

The first half was full of chances for both sides, but neither could convert. Deanna Cooper’s header was cleared off the line by Hannah Blake early on while Rachel Furness volleyed wide shortly after.

Shania Hayles had the hosts’ best chance of the half after 14 minutes, finding herself one-on-one with Tatiana Saunders when the ball broke for her inside the box, but the keeper made a sharp block.

Durham grew into the game from that point and Kaila Novak had a great opportunity in the 36th minute. Lambert crossed low from the right and Novak was denied by Newcastle United keeper Claudia Moan at the far post.

The home side piled on the pressure at the end of the half but found Saunders in excellent form; she twice denied Amber Keegan-Stobbs before Demi Stokes saw an effort blocked on the line.

Saunders was called into action again after the break. She denied Hayles from close range and made a comfortable save from Amy Andrews’ speculative strike.

At the other end, Lambert pinched the ball in the 76th minute and found Carly Johns, but the forward missed the target. Lambert then had the final say a minute from time when Sarah Robson stole the ball in midfield and while Johns saw her shot saved, the midfielder scrambled the ball in from a tight angle to win it.

Newcastle United are back in action next weekend when they contest the Tyne-Wear derby at Sunderland while Durham have a weekend off.