In an era where statistics can be king and interpreted any way you want, there is one statistic that stands out massively in NUFC women’s season. Nine draws, thanks to Sunday’s 1-1 at home to Nottingham Forest.
Yes, in twenty games completed so far, they have nine draws, which is one more than the games they have won.
Having only lost three times in the league all season, you’re entitled to think you must have a chance at success, but to do that you have to turn at least half of those draws into wins. Therein probably lies the story of Wor Lasses campaign.
They are still mathematically in with a shout of third place in the WSL2, as they are five points behind Crystal Palace. Sadly, the front two of Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic are now definitely beyond Newcastle.
Realistically it is hard to believe that Palace, five wins and a draw in their last six games, are somehow going to lose both of their last two games, although one of them against Charlton. The other sees them going to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.
Hard to believe but, I guess possible. But even then, if they did lose both then United have to beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate and then Durham at the Gateshead International Stadium to overhaul Palace. Scenarios, scenarios! All United can do is go for the six points and see where they end up.
On Sunday they had another very winnable game indeed against Nottingham Forest and after yet another draw, 1-1 this time, Manager Tanya Oxtoby expressed once again frustration at the result after yet another performance where her side dominated possession.
A goal given away, the dark arts of even women’s football coming into play with so many Forest players going down with injuries and the inconsistency of officiating all playing their part in another ultimately disappointing afternoon for Oxtoby and her players.
They were comfortable and looking in good shape when suddenly goalkeeper Anna Tamminen decided to play a ball straight out of her box centrally to Emma Kelly. The ball never reached Kelly as Alana Murphy of Forest reacted quickest.
She latched on to the loose poorly placed pass, advanced into the area and shot easily past Tamminen after 16 minutes to mean once again United had to come from behind. Once again, they showed steely resilience and commitment but perhaps not the quality needed.
In the final third they were either indecisive or lacking in the final ball or decisive moment required to turn their possessional superiority into goals. The closest they came in the first half a couple of long-range Jordan Nobbs efforts one too high and one just wide and a Morgan Gautrat shot.
That was the chance as a ball fell to the two-time USA World Cup winner about 8-yards out. She caught it sweetly on the half volley, but Emily Batty in the Forest goal made an outstanding save tipping the ball over in fine style.
Batty was also involved in the second half on a couple of occasions as United continued to dominate. Getting down smartly to hold on to an Oona Sevenius drive and then diving full length to her right to claw away a good 20-yard strike from United substitute Emillia Larsson.
It looked like being a pointless afternoon for The Lady Mags until right on 90 minutes a Nobbs special got them level. Emily Murphy showing good holdup play in the box before laying the ball neatly back to Nobbs.
The ex-England Lioness not breaking stride as she smashed a right foot rocket from inside the ‘D’ past the helpless Batty to equalise. The announcement of ten minutes of injury time to be played and the stadium rocking gave United great momentum.
Unfortunately, though the Assistant Referee went down with a muscle injury and the game couldn’t be restarted. When it was that momentum that Nobbs’ goal had given United was lost. As were two minutes of the supposedly minimum ten to be added.
In the end Forest held out and with Crystal Palace beating Ipswich Town 1-0 it meant that the gap increased to five points and United’s promotion race looks like its finally done. They will approach their last two games needing two wins and a pray knowing those draws have been costly.