The Magpies locked horns with the Rams at the Don Amott Arena and came out flying at the start of the match, with both Emma Kelly and Kacie Elson seeing efforts blocked before Charlotte Potts headed over from a dangerous Kelly corner.

It was Langley's team who continued to dominate in the opening stages, but the opening goal evaded them. Elysia Boddy's strike from distance tested Rams' goalkeeper Anna Draper as the home side held firm and repelled Newcastle's advances.

Elson was next to test Draper, after being found down the right by Amber Keegan-Stobbs, but her effort failed to trouble the hosts' stopper.

In-form forward Galloway was then unleashed in behind by Kelly and, having rounded the goalkeeper with ease, fired her shot into the side netting from a tight angle. Galloway then stabbed the ball wide following Elson's cross, as United searched for a lead to take into the break.

But it was third time lucky for the Newcastle striker, as she reacted first to head home from close range after the ball had been delivered back into the area following a corner.

With their tails up, Langley's team sought to extend their lead after the restart, but Georgia Gibson's strike was blocked well before it could trouble Draper. Centre-back Olivia Watt then saw a strike cleared off the line, as Derby's goal led a charmed life.

The Magpies smelled blood and continued to pepper the hosts' goal, with substitute Katie Barker steering her shot narrowly wide before Galloway rattled the bar from inside the area.

The Rams looked to hit United on the break, but the defensive trio of Naomi Bedeau, Potts and Watt remained firm and thwarted them every time they looked to cut Langley's side open.

Just three minutes after being introduced for goalscorer Galloway on 80 minutes, Becky Ferguson struck a post, via a Charlotte Steggles deflection.

The United forward was then brought down inside the box, giving the Magpies a golden opportunity to gain a two-goal lead in the latter stages. However, an excellent save from Draper denied Kelly from the spot to keep the deficit to one, with little over five minutes left to play.

As has been the case in the early stages of 2023/24, Newcastle maintained composure in the concluding moments to see out the victory, as the Magpies continue to impress in the third tier.

Newcastle United Women: Hannah Reid, Olivia Watt, Charlotte Potts, Naomi Bedeau, Tyler Dodds (Daisy Burt 87), Elysia Boddy (Cara Milne-Redhead 90), Emma Kelly, Kacie Elson (Anna Soulsby 87), Amber-Keegan Stobbs, Georgia Gibson (Katie Barker 60), Bridget Galloway (Becky Ferguson 80)

Subs not used: None

Report by Joseph Nelson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock