Newcastle United Women 0 Ipswich Town Women 1
Despite a strong display, Newcastle United Women were eliminated from the Vitality Women's FA Cup on Sunday, losing 1-0 to Ipswich Town Women at Kingston Park.
Becky Langley's side produced a spirited performance in front of more than 2,700 supporters, but the FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division leaders held on to progress to the fifth round.
The visitors looked to impose themselves on the Lady Magpies early on, and opened the scoring when Lucy O'Brien curled a left-footed strike into the top corner after just three minutes.
Langley's side reacted well to their early setback and shortly afterwards, Katie Barker looked to be through on goal, only for goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill to clear well.
Moments later, Kacie Elson managed to get on the end of a Georgia Gibson cross, but her header looped just over the bar.
The Lady Magpies continued to push for an equaliser before the break, and when Lauren Robson found space on the edge of the box following a corner, her effort flew over the bar.
After the break, Newcastle Women dominated proceedings as they went in search of a leveller.
After 56 minutes, Brooke Cochrane delivered a dangerous left-footed cross, but Elson couldn't quite connect with her head.
As the final stages approached, the Lady Magpies continued to pile the pressure on their visitors, with a succession of Gibson corners causing problems for the Ipswich defence.
With just 15 minutes to go, Rachel Lee had a sight of goal, cutting inside on her left foot, but Quantrill was able to hold her strike.
Soon after, Langley's side were almost gifted an equaliser by the visitors, when an Ipswich defender sliced a clearance that bounced narrowly wide of the post.
Despite the pressure that the Lady Magpies applied, they couldn't quite manage to force the ball home, and Ipswich Town Women booked their place in the fifth round.
Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Olivia Watt, Ellen Packham, Jane Harland, Beth Guy, Rachel Lee, Lauren Robson (Lois Greenslade 64), Kacie Elson, Georgia Gibson, Katie Barker
Subs not used: Erin White, Sharna Wilkinson, Keira Skelton, Rosie Missen, Becky Ferguson, Georgina Spraggon
Report by Joseph Nelson
Photographs courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC