The Lady Magpies had kicked off the campaign with a 6-0 success at FC United of Manchester and followed that up with an equally emphatic victory under the lights at Druid Park.

Katie Barker scored four times while Kacie Elson hit a hat-trick in an impressive performance from Newcastle United Women, whose players and coaching staff have made it clear that promotion is the aim this term and have backed those words up with their results so far.

It took 36 minutes for United to break the deadlock, when Georgia Gibson's shot was pushed onto a post only for Barker to force home the rebound. But there was no stopping Langley's side once they were in front, and Barker got her second just before half time with a fine turn and shot.

And she got her hat-trick in the 55th minute, again appearing in the right place at the right time to convert from close range after Elson's cross wasn't properly cleared. 

Alnwick pulled one back through Michelle Stewart on the hour mark but Elson killed off any hopes off a comeback from the visitors as she reacted first when Anna Soulsby's stike cannoned back off the crossbar.

Elson then made it five with her second, tucking home from Barker's assist, before Barker got her fourth - and her fifth of the season - in the 81st minute. 

And there was still time for Elson to complete her treble, hammering home from a tight angle after cutting in from the left to make it a magnificent seven. 

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Bethany Guy (Leanna Giles 74), Olivia Watt, Ellen Packham, Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson, Georgina Spraggon (Jane Harland 69), Lois Greenslade (Anna Soulsby 46), Rachel Lee

Subs not used: Sharna Wilkinson, Rosie Missen

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC