It was a magnificent start to the season for Becky Langley's side as they aim for promotion from the FA Women's National League Division One North after two successive campaigns cut short by Covid-19.

Eight players - Olivia Watt, Rachel Lee, Leanna Giles, Georgina Spraggon, Lois Greenslade, Orla Callaghan, Rebecca Ferguson and Keira Skelton - made their league debuts for the Lady Magpies and it was teenager Spraggon who gave United the lead with a wonderful left-footed volley.

Georgia Gibson added a second before half time and in the second period, Newcastle were even more clinical as Kacie Elson and Katie Barker found the back of the net before Gibson got her brace and Ferguson rounded off the scoring to make it six.

And while the goalscorers will rightly take the headlines, goalkeeper Grace Donnelly - who missed the whole of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury - will also have been satisfied to mark her competitive return to action with a clean sheet.

The impressive result leaves Newcastle United Women sitting proudly at the top of the table after the opening weekend. The Lady Magpies entertain Alnwick Town Ladies at Druid Park on Wednesday, 25th August (kick-off 7.30pm BST). 

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Jane Harland (Keira Skelton 83), Olivia Watt, Ellen Packham, Katie Barker (Rebecca Ferguson 75), Georgia Gibson (Orla Callaghan 80), Kacie Elson, Rachel Lee (Sharna Wilkinson 80), Leanna Giles, Georgina Spraggon (Lois Greenslade 70)

Subs not used: None

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC