Newcastle United Women 0 Barnsley Women 4
League leaders Barnsley inflicted a first home defeat since October on Newcastle United Women on Sunday.
Becky Langley's side hadn't lost on Tyneside since surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 reverse to Chester-le-Street three months ago, but Barnsley arrived at Druid Park with nine wins and a draw from their ten games and showed why they've been the best team in the FAWNL Division One North with an impressive showing here.
Newcastle matched the visitors for the opening 22 minutes but fell behind when Amy Woodruff fired beyond Dominyka Podziute from almost 30 yards, and Barnsley doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark through Laura Bartup.
Imogen Longcake forced Bethan Davies into a save in the 36th minute with a long-range effort, but it was 3-0 in the 69th minute, with Bartup getting her second of the match, before Woodruff rounded off the scoring in the 75th minute.
United kept on going, though, and Davies made two great saves to deny Steph Ord and Rhiannon Gray.
Newcastle's next game is against Bradford City Women at Druid Park on Sunday, 26th January (kick-off 2pm GMT).
Newcastle United Women: Dominyka Podziute, Courtney Lock, Ellen Packham, Abbie Gilchrist, Beth Guy, Megan McKenzie, Rebecca Olley (Anna Soulsby 73), Jess Foster, Emily Tait, Rhiannon Gray, Imogen Longcake (Steph Ord 65)
Subs not used: Jane Harland, Brianna Westrup, Maisie Cole
Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC