Newcastle United Girls performed their first sport within the Championship on Sunday and got here away from their lengthy journey to Bromley with a hard-earned level, in opposition to London Metropolis Lionesses in entrance of a 1,781 crowd.
Backed by a vocal travelling contingent, a lot of United’s followers had been fortunate to be there in any respect, given varied journey disruptions main as much as kick off.
Probably the most simple a part of the journey was the 15 minute stroll from Bromley South station to Hayes Lane, located within the city’s leafy suburbs inside Norman Park and subsequent to Bromley Frequent.
The stadium wasn’t that a lot totally different to Kingston Park. The west facet regarded very acquainted in truth and housed The John Fiorini Stand with loads of Black and White shirts within the open terraces both facet of it. Reverse was one other terrace which backed onto the native cricket pitch, with the crew dug outs simply in entrance of it.
Behind the South purpose was the fashionable wanting Glyn Beverly Stand which was filled with Newcastle followers, who should have absolutely outnumbered their hosts by 10-to-1. The other purpose was additionally terraced with a small stand in a single nook and a Nuffield Fitness center looming over it from the opposite.
London Metropolis have solely been round since 2019, after they broke away from father or mother membership Millwall and opted to go unbiased. They solely narrowly averted relegation from the Championship final season however have overseen a significant overhaul in the course of the summer time.
American businesswoman Michele Kang, who already owns Washington Spirit within the States and Olympique Lyonnais Feminin in France, bought the membership, ushering in a £50 million funding plan. Jocelyn Precheur was shortly appointed supervisor from PSG, whereas the membership moved from their earlier dwelling of Princes Park in Dartford to a brand new groundsharing settlement with Bromley FC.
Nevertheless, maybe the largest assertion of intent was that of the signing of Swedish captain Kosavare Asllani, who brings a wealth of expertise along with her after stints with Man Metropolis, Actual Madrid and AC Milan.
Either side created probabilities early into the sport, with proper again Lia Cataldo creating Newcastle’s greatest effort when establishing winger Shania Hayles, whose effort was deflected broad.
It will be Newcastle although who took the lead on 20 minutes after Hayles, who took a heavy contact initially, slotted previous Emily Orman within the London Metropolis purpose following good work from Jasmine McQuade within the build-up.
The Woman Mags held that lead till 5 minutes earlier than half time when a fantastic alternate of passes between Finnish ahead Lotta Lindstrom and Asllani noticed the latter end emphatically to stage the scores. Newcastle’s defence had been caught flat-footed and it was a reminder they gained’t get issues all their very own manner this season. The purpose had been coming, with Lindstrom having struck the left put up simply earlier than with a earlier try.
Newcastle may have nonetheless gone in forward on the break when moments after giving up that equaliser that they had a golden alternative to attain. The ball dropped to Hayles as soon as once more from a nook who had two makes an attempt to steer the ball into an empty internet however couldn’t get a a lot wanted connection on it.
The sport had its moments of physicality, and following a 3rd reserving for the house facet, their followers all of the sudden discovered their voice by singing “The referee’s a Magpie.” Maybe the referee was a bit card pleased with eight yellows proven, however general, I believe she received a lot of the choices right.
Probably the most disappointing second got here within the last couple of minutes when London Metropolis defender Teyah Goldie earned herself and United’s substitute Isobel Sibley a reserving after confronting the Newcastle debutant, earlier than going by means of a dying swan routine. We might have stepped up a stage in high quality however with it sadly comes skilled play-acting too.
Either side appeared blissful to take dwelling a degree from the opening sport however each did have probabilities to win in it late on. London Metropolis substitute Isobel Goodwin regarded vigorous when approaching and really almost scored after pouncing on a again cross, however she was denied by a last-ditch block from Charlotte Potts, with an open purpose begging. Goodwin would check United goalie Claudia Moan once more quickly after, whereas Elysia Boddy fired a shot which narrowly cleared the bar from distance.
Ultimately it was in all probability a good consequence and one which Newcastle United Girls (ED: Pictured above celebrating pre-season when beating AC Milan) can construct on from right here. They’re subsequent in motion after they play their dwelling opener on Sunday twenty second September in opposition to Sheffield United at Kingston Park, 2pm Kick-off.
Newcastle United Girls: Claudia Moan, Lia Cataldo (Lois Joel 69), Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Potts, Demi Stokes, Katie Barker, Elysia Boddy, Rachel Furness (Amber-Keegan Stobbs 46), Shannia Hayles (Sophie Haywood 63), Jasmine McQaude (Isabella Sibley 69), Amy Andrews (Beth Lumsden 85).
Subs Not Used: Hannah Hawkins (GK), Liv Watt, Georgia Gibson, Hannah Greenwood.
London Metropolis Lionesses: Emily Orman, Maddi Wilde (Grace Neville 71), Teyah Goldie, Georgia Brougham, Corinne Henson, Charlene Meyong, Julia Roddar (Connie Scofield 79), Emma Mukandi, Kosovare Asllani (Lucy Fitzgerald 91), Lotta Lindstrom (Isobel Goodwin 71), Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.
Subs Not Used: Grace Moloney (GK), Gesa Marashi, Amelia Ajao, Cerys Brown
