Six goal thriller not so thrilling for Newcastle United women’s team | OneFootball

The Newcastle United women’s team threw away what would have been a famous victory over Charlton Athletic on Sunday, when they conceded twice in stoppage time and had to settle for a draw.

Manager Becky Langley made further changes off the back of the derby win over Sunderland last week, opting for a back three, with wingers Beth Lumsden and Isabella Sibley operating as wing backs.

The midfield three saw captain Amber Keegan Stobbs in a more advanced role just behind a front two of Shania Hayles and Amy Andrews.

I must admit, I have always preferred teams to play two up front, but it did catch most inside of Kingston Park off guard.

Not least the visiting side who had set themselves up to face a different Newcastle United women’s team line up to the one they ended up playing.

Both Hayles and Andrews destroyed the Addicks defence with their blistering pace and it didn’t take long for the pair to combine to devastating effect.

Hayles, who was called up to the Jamaica national team this week, started a move when she flicked on a long ball setting Andrews away down the right flank. The Birmingham-born striker outpaced the Charlton defence, advanced into the box and unselfishly cut the ball back to her strike partner, to finish from close range.

Barely five minutes had been played when Newcastle’s first attempt at goal found the net, against a side that had led the table for most of the season so far. Ten minutes later and the Lady Mags were two goals to the good.

Amber Keegan Stobbs won the ball in midfield before sliding an inch perfect ball through for Hayles who composed herself before lifting the ball over Jess Gray and into the Charlton net.

Charlton were struggling to contain Newcastle’s lively front two and they were lucky not to be three goals down moments later. Andrews produced some excellent skill by flicking the ball over a Charlton defender before playing Hayles in again, but this time Gray prevented the goal with an outstretched leg.

The game could have been all over after 16 minutes, but there was a sense, would that missed opportunity come back to bite them?

The remainder of the first half didn’t really produce anything of note as the conditions didn’t help. Charlton thought they had pulled one back on the half hour mark, when Kayleigh Barton slotted past the onrushing Claudia Moan, but the effort was flagged for offside.

Charlton started with purpose in the second half and did get the goal back they were looking for just four minutes in. Katie Bradley scoring on her Charlton debut as she turned the ball in after Newcastle failed to clear from their own box.

Despite getting that early goal back, Charlton seemed to step off the gas again and Newcastle soon restored their two goal advantage by the mid-point of the half. Shania Hayles completing her hat-trick from the penalty spot after Lois Joel had been brought down in the area.

It was very nearly 4-1 soon after when the ball broke for Beth Lumsden after Gray challenged Hayles on the edge of the area, but the Charlton goalie recovered incredibly well to block the rebound away.

Charlton looked resigned to their fate but with seven minutes to go, United Captain Stobbs was sent off for a second yellow, after preventing Charlton from taking a quick free kick.

That along with the six minutes of stoppage time gave the visitors fresh hope. Atlanta Primus sent a chance wide of the back post, before United threw on Deanna Cooper for the additional defender.

However, that only served to invite Charlton to come at them. In the fourth minute of stoppage time Kayleigh Barton was left all alone in the area with a free header, from a corner, to make it a one goal game.

Newcastle only had 90 seconds to see the game out, but Charlton charged forward and capitalised on their hosts’ nervous defending, with Katie Bradley slamming home the equaliser for her second of the game and make it 3-3. Newcastle charged up the field in vain for the final few seconds to try and force a winner but it was too late to rescue the win and they had to settle for a point.

It’s always disappointing when it’s your team that blows a two goal lead with two minutes to go but full credit to Charlton for not giving up and playing to the final whistle.

The Newcastle United women’s team now have a two week gap before their next game away to Birmingham City, as the league will go into an international break.

Final score:

Newcastle United 3 Charlton 3

Newcastle United:

Claudia Moan, Isabella Sibley, Hannah Greenwood, Charlotte Potts, Demi Stokes, Elysia Boddy, Amber-Keegan Stobbs, Lois Joel (Deanna Cooper 91), Amy Andrews (Katie Barker 65), Shania Hayles (Sophie Haywood 79), Beth Lumsden (Kacie Elson 79)

Grace Donnelly, Hannah Hawkins, Liv Watt, Georgia Gibson, Jasmine McQuade