The post-Becky Langley era at NUFC Women kicked off in style on Sunday, with an excellent and professional 4 – 1 away win at Ipswich Town.
Langley’s assistant Claire Ditchburn stepped up to lead the side from the dugout in fine style, assisted by ex-United first teamer and current loan assistant Peter Ramage.
Ditchburn, the former Durham Women Head Coach, was not surprisingly installed as Caretaker Manager after Langley’s departure, but perhaps it was a surprise to see her still in situ as Wor Lasses played their first game since the parting of the ways with Langley.
Many had expected that a new Head Coach/Manager would have been appointed very quickly to replace the Coach who had six excellent years at the helm and oversaw two successive promotions. But that was not the case and Ditchburn’s first game in charge was certainly a success.
Will it be enough to perhaps give her a shot at taking the job full-time? I suspect not, but it’s certainly a result and a performance that show cases her abilities. It also buys the inner hierarchy more time to consider the position as they search for Langley’s replacement.
It was in many guises a perfect game for United to begin life anew. Bottom of the WSL2 Ipswich have had some decent results but still occupy the last place in the Division. If United are to move forward and threaten the automatic places it was simply a game they had to win.
But to do so by scoring four goals on the road and improving their goal difference dramatically was certainly an impressive statement and performance and very much will have everyone at The Club looking upwards and not downwards.
Ipswich 1-4 Newcastle – Match report
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There was a return to goal scoring form for Centre Forward Shania Hayles who got the start up front, a first start in the WSL2 this season for England U-21 star Elysia Boddy and a first goal of the season for Emily Murphy alongside Molly Pike’s second of the campaign.
Hayles it was that put United in front on 41 minutes with an improvised close range chested finish from Jordan Nobbs pinpoint left wing cross. The Lady Mags taking their one-goal lead into the changing rooms at half-time.
They doubled that lead within five minutes of the restart and it was Hayles again. Pike played a great one-two with Jordan Nobbs before her cross found Freya Gregory at the back post. A deft touch from Gregory finding Hayles free and able to tap the ball home into a virtually empty net.
The home side though got back into the game temporarily three minutes after Hayles second. A free kick from Paige Peake’s free kick was parried by Femke Liefting with the rebound dropping to Kyra Robertson who despite Aoife Mannion’s last ditch attempt to block looped her effort into United’s net.
On the hour mark though United restored their two-goal cushion. Gregory doing well on the left to stand-up a great cross into the middle that Oona Sevenius glanced on for the onrushing Pike to volley viciously home past the helpless Natalia Negri.
United were in cruise mode now and comfortable both in possession and closing down the ball when they didn’t have it. Completely on top they even managed deep into stoppage time to conjure up a fourth goal of the afternoon.
Substitute Beth Lumsden crossing from the right into the middle where fellow substitute Murphy got in front of the home defence and glanced home her first goal of the season. A nice way to round off a great afternoon’s work for Wor Lasses.
It was also a good afternoon for United in terms of league position and North East bragging rights, if only temporarily.
Sunderland going down 4 – 2 at home to Bristol City and Durham losing 2 – 1 at Sheffield United meant Newcastle are up to sixth in the table, on a four-match unbeaten run and only 4 points off the automatic promotion places as they leap frogged their North East rivals.
Next up for Wor Lasses is a huge local Derby against Durham at Maiden Castle next Sunday. Durham did the double over United last season so United will be itching for revenge when the side’s clash.
The interesting point in the equation is the position of Claire Ditchburn. Will the ex-Durham Head Coach who left that club a couple of seasons ago in shrouded circumstances still be in charge at United? I guess that’s a question that only those in higher places can give the answer we all await.
