Relegated Lady Mags go all to Pott against Stoke
NEWCASTLE United’s relegation to Division One was confirmed by a 4-1 defeat at home against Stoke City.
Both sides created early chances, United’s Nicole Dack going close but seeing her low shot fall the wrong side of the post.
Jamilla Palmer and Potters’ captain Meg Bowyer also went close to giving the visitors the lead.
Three goals in a five-minute spell saw Stoke claim a 2-1 lead in at half -time.
The deadlock was broken after 29 minutes when Millie Elson put the Potters ahead from close range following a Kelsey Richardson cross into the area.
Richardson then won a free-kick on the left flank three minutes later, Jamilla Palmer whipping in a crosscum-shot which deceived everyone and bounced into the net.
Newcastle responded within two minutes, Dack laying off Rebecca Hanson, who turned and shot past the goalkeeper following a corner only the second league goal the Lady Mags have scored this year.
Palmer nearly restored the twogoal lead but her effort hit the crossbar with the last kick of the half.
The hosts started the second period confidently and positively, the Potters’ goalkeeper denying Jess Ellison and Siobhan Jones putting the rebound wide.
The Lady Mags kept probing, Jones and Ellison going close again and Lauren Robson heading over before Leonie Kennedy struck the bar from an acute angle.
An equaliser seemed to be within United’s grasp.
However, they suffered a killer blow 10 minutes from time.
A flick-on from an Emily Owen free- kick fell for Kate Asher, who volleyed in from close range.
Asher added her second in the last minute, curling her shot from the edge of the box over goalkeeper Claudia Moan.
The Lady Mags have picked up maximum points only twice this season, beating Huddersfield Town and Leicester City at home and earning a point at Bradford City, in their 18 matches.
They finish bottom, eight points behind Nottingham Forest with only two matches remaining.
Derby County provide the Lady Mags’ last home opposition on April 23 before they end life in the Northern Division at Leicester City.
In Northern Division One, Chester-le-Street Town narrowly lost 1-0 at league leaders Guiseley.
Olivia Thackray slotted home on the stroke of half-time but the hosts later required two quality saves from their goalkeeper to earn a hard-fought three points.