Georgia Gibson and Kacie Elson were also on target as the Lady Magpies bounced back from their FAWNL Cup extra-time exit against Brighouse Town Women seven days earlier.

And Becky Langley and her players will now have a keen interest in the draw for the second round after this five-star show at Druid Park.

Gibson opened the scoring in the 12th minute, when her cross was deflected in, and the midfielder was also heavily involved in United's second goal ten minutes later.

Her incisive through-ball released Barker, who teed up Elson to score - and within two minutes, Barker had a goal of her own as Elson returned the favour by cutting the ball back for the number nine to tap home. 

Lauren Robson struck the woodwork before the break, but just before the hour mark Harrogate pulled one back through Nat Eustace.

However, any hopes of a comeback were short-lived as Elson and Barker combined again, the former finding the latter to grab her second of the afternoon.

And Barker completed her third hat-trick of the season in the 72nd minute with an outstanding solo effort as she jinked past two defenders before blasting the ball into the top corner. 

Captain Brooke Cochrane nearly added a sixth as she played a neat one-two with Gibson, but her effort from a tight angle was saved. There was, however, an injury to New Zealand-born midfielder Rosie Missen in the final moments which Langley will be hoping does not prove to be serious.

The Lady Magpies are back in FAWNL Division One North action on Wednesday evening when they face local rivals Chester le Street Town Ladies. Kick-off at Moor Park is at 7.45pm (GMT).

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Jane Harland (Keira Skelton 77), Beth Guy (Jess Spark 72), Olivia Watt, Sharna Wilkinson (Georgina Spraggon 65), Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson, Lauren Robson, Rosie Missen

Sub not used: Becky Ferguson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC