Someone once said, ‘football’s a funny game.’ They weren’t wrong! A superb crowd of 2,520 rolled up on Sunday afternoon to supposedly watch NUFC Women take another step towards the promised land of the Women’s Super League.
The opposition was Sheffield United Women. A team relegated from ‘The Championship’ last season but given a reprieve when Blackburn Rovers dropped out of the WSL2 line-up.
The Blades had a rude introduction to their lifeline when they lost their opening League game 4 – 0 at home to Sunderland AFC. United on the other hand taking a 2 – 1 away win at Nottingham Forest to kick-start their own campaign.
It was a new chapter in the history of NUFC Women as Gateshead International Stadium became, at least for now, the new permanent home of Wor Lasses and the Tyne & Wear Stand was packed full of expectant fans.
United were forced into one change from their winning line-up of 7 days prior with USA World Cup winning midfielder out injured and not making the squad. Lois Joel stepped up from the bench to replace her in the starting XI.
To the game itself and in truth it was a pretty turgid affair that lacked any fluency or real excitement. A game of precious few chances where Sheffield took one in the first half and then very nearly hung on to take all three points.
That was until NUFC came up with a very late equaliser after finally breaking through a well-organised and stoic Blades defensive set-up that thought they were going to go back to Yorkshire with all 3 points.
There was though almost a shock opening to the game with the visitor’s going close with only 22 seconds ticked off the clock. Sophie O’Rourke won a header just inside her own half and the ball was picked up by Charlie Devlin 40yards+ from United’s goal.
Devlin spotting Claudia Moan off her line went for an outrageous first-time lobbed effort. Moan at first looked in trouble as the ball drifted goal wards. But she was able to back-pedal quickly and on her line push the ball away to safety.
Then the game settled into what became a routine apart from one minute of magic from Sheffield late, late on in the first half. That ‘routine’ being Wor Lasses pushing forward at every opportunity but unable to break down a determined visiting rearguard effort.
Beth Lumsden almost found a way through on 15 minutes with a great cut in from the right before unleashing a left-foot thunderbolt from just outside the box that fizzed just wide of the far post.
Three minutes later a Freya Godfrey in-swinging corner was met by Emily Murphy just outside the six-yard box but she put her header wide. They were the only chances United had in the first 45 minutes that ultimately ended disastrously for them.
As the game ticked into that 45th minute a Charlotte Wardlaw defensive header was picked up by Tammi George who found Devlin about 20-yards out. The Sheffield forward had perhaps been the best player on the pitch to that point.
A point she emphasised by not hesitating and striking a beautiful left-foot shot over and beyond the despairing dive of Moan to give the Blades a half-time lead that shocked all the Newcastle contingent on and off the pitch.
Becky Langley made three substitutions at the half with Jas McQuade, Lia Cataldo and Oona Sevenius coming on for Joel, Lumsden and Murphy. For a long time the changes failed to make a difference.
Indeed Sheffield almost doubled their lead on 82 minutes with what would have been a fortunate goal, Emma Taylor’s right wing cross overhit trying to find her forwards actually drifted over Moan as well and hit the cross bar much to United’s relief.
The equaliser though did arrive in the 85thminute and it was actually Newcastle’s first effort on target in the game from undoubtedly their best move. Aoife Mannion playing a square ball across the back to skipper Deanna Cooper who made ground into the Sheffield half.
Cooper threaded a delightful through ball that for once carved the away defence opening and sent Club Captain Demi Stokes on for the injured Gregory speeding away on the left.
From the left-hand side of the 18-yard box she put in a great cross that was just too high for Molly Pike but saw McQuade arrive at the back post and from 8-yards out half volley the ball first time into the net.
United buoyed by the goal kept throwing the ball forward but even with 5 minutes of injury time couldn’t find another chink in the Sheffield steel and the visitor’s held on for a very commendable and deserved point that was almost three.
For Newcastle this was a disappointing performance and result. They had expected three points and were expected by all to get that. But the display was flat, lacked energy and the creativity to breakdown a determined and stubborn visiting side.
Newcastle though have played two and have four points. The same as a very dangerous and much fancied Birmingham City side who they travel to next Sunday to play at St. Andrews.