Kacie Elson scored twice and Bethany Guy and Katie Barker were also on target for United, who are now third in the FAWNL Division One North with two games in hand on leaders Leeds United Ladies after their latest three points.

It was the perfect response to last weekend's 1-0 loss at Liverpool Feds Women and in the end it was as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, although there wasn't much to separate the two sides in the first half.

Elson had come closest to breaking the deadlock, first racing onto a great pass from Ellen Packham but stabbing just wide after quarter of an hour, then forcing Cestria keeper Anna King into a save in the 34th minute, but it looked set to be goalless at the break.

That was until a sumptuous left-wing corner from Georgia Gibson which was met by a bullet header from midfielder Guy on the stroke of half time, and suddenly Newcastle were in the driving seat. 

Gibson made another key contribution five minutes into the second half with a superb goal-line clearance before, on the hour mark, Elson eased United's nerves as she slotted home from close range after Barker saw a shot saved. 

Not to be denied for long, leading scorer Barker got a goal of her own two minutes later with a fine solo effort then, in the 74th minute, Elson capitalised on a goalkeeping error to get her second and United's fourth. 

And Grace Donnelly made sure of her fourth clean sheet of the campaign with a fantastic fingertip save from Jessica Mett late on to round off a satisfying afternoon for Newcastle United Women in front of their home fans.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Jane Harland (Jess Spark 76), Bethany Guy (Leanna Giles 84), Olivia Watt, Ellen Packham, Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson (Orla Callaghan 84), Kacie Elson, Georgina Spraggon (Lois Greenslade 75), Rachel Lee (Rosie Missen 73)

Subs not used: None

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC