Foundation laid for glory in Cup
NEWCASTLE United Foundation’s women’s team booked its place in the National Football Youth League Ladies Cup final with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Durham WFC.
The TyneMet College-based squad will now face Gillingham Ladies to decide the honours.
Newcastle went into the game with five key players unavailable including leading goalscorers Katie Barker and Jayden Maxwell.
However, Alanah Scott returned to the side after a spell sidelined.
Newcastle looked nervous and struggled to find any rhythm in the opening moments - and were punished as Durham opened the scoring.
United were behind in a game for the first time this season and needed to dig deep to find a way back.
However, with 30 minutes gone they equalised when Scott capitalised on a mix-up in the Durham box, slotting the ball home.
As half-time drew closer Newcastle went 2-1 up when Kacie Elson was on the end of a cross to finish well at the back post.
The second period started with Newcastle taking control - but neighbours Durham always looked dangerous on the counter-attack through Chloe Ryan and the longer the game remained 2-1 the tie was still in the balance.
Rebecca Jamieson pulled off a crucial save at 2-1 to keep Newcastle in the lead as their nerves started to grow.
Rebecca Henderson was then unlucky not to score after great play by Newcastle. Erin Nelson and Megan Farrell combined well throughout the game but Durham sat deep with five defenders making life difficult.
The game changed when Newcastle changed shape and introduced Anna Soulsby and Alicia Mutrie.
Within minutes of the change the tie was put to bed as Scott broke clear of the defence, rounding the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Scott then completed her hattrick, converting a delightful through ball from Soulsby with the outside of her foot. The scoring was then wrapped up when Scott nabbed her fourth of the game, rounding the goalkeeper for the second time in the game.
Carl Chater, head coach of NESA Women’s Football, said: “After a difficult start to the game the girls showed real character.
“We have a special group of players and have shown here how strong our squad is.”
■ ANYONE interested in joining the North East Sports Academy at Tyne Met should e-mail Carl Chater at carl.chater@nufc.co.uk.