Match report: Newcastle United Women 3-1 Sunderland Women

Newcastle United earn 3 points and derby day win as Magpies beat Sunderland 3-1 at St James Park.

Second half goals from Deena Cooper and brace from substitute Emily Murphy saw Newcastle United claim all 3 points in the WSL 2. Sunderland’s goal came from 2-0 down and was put away by Kiera Barry but it was not enough.

Newcastle United made two changes from the Durham draw, with Anna Tamminen in for Femke Liefting in between the sticks and Denna Cooper in for Freya Greggory. Sunderland also made two changes following their heart breaking loss at home to Portsmouth, with Louis Griffiths and Kiera Barry coming in for Tara O’Hanlon and Katy Watson.

Coming into the Tyne-Wear derby, Newcastle United Women sat in 7th, unbeaten in their two games under interim boss Claire Ditchburn. Sunderland came into the encounter not having won in seven competitive games and just behind their Tyneside rivals in 8th.

Newcastle were the more possessive side but did not create many chances in the opening 15 minutes of the match, The Black Cats had few counter attacking chances in the opening 30 minutes.

The Magpies had the first chance to put themselves ahead in the 31st minute, a delivery from Lumsden saw Shayna Hayles’ close range shot blocked, which fell to Molly Pike who fired over the bar.

The first half was not one of many chances for either side as they went into the interval goalless.

Six minutes into the second half, Sunderland were awarded a penalty for a Jordan Nobbs handball inside the box. Elearnor Dale had the chance to open her WSL2 account for the season but her penalty was saved by Anna Tamminen at the Gallowgate end.

Jordan Nobbs corner saw Newcastle United take the lead 63 minutes in, after carnage from Sunderland defence as Deanna Cooper nods it in from six yards to open the scoring.

Substitute Emily Murphy doubled the lead 65 minutes after another ball into the box was poorly dealt by the Sunderland backline, Murphy was able to head home inside the six.

Sunderland were quick to respond, Emily Scarrs delivered a well placed corner which found Kiera Barry to make it 2-1 and give Sunderland the chance to push for an equaliser.

Emily Murphy bagged her brace after she received the ball from 30 yards and drove forward unleashing in into the bottom corner.

Ditchburn’s side continued to dominate the game in the final ten minutes of the game to secure all three points and now sit fourth in the WSL2, where they play WSL side Everton in the League Cup group stages before heading into the international break.