The hosts, who reside in the seventh tier of women's football, gave a good account of themselves but the quality in Becky Langley's squad shone through in the end, as a hat-trick from Jasmine McQuade and goals from Cara Milne-Redhead, Hannah Greenwood, Becky Ferguson, Sharna Wilkinson, Anna Soulsby and Katie Barker ensured the Magpies extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches in all competitions at the start of 2023/24.

It took Newcastle just three minutes to open the scoring in the North West, with Milne-Redhead converting Tyler Dodds' cross with her head.

It was 2-0 before ten minutes were on the clock, with another Dodds cross turned in - this time by Greenwood at the back post.

No sooner had the dust settled after Greenwood's goal did the Magpies have their third of the afternoon. Milne-Redhead tried her luck from range, with her effort cannoning back off the post straight to Ferguson, who made no mistake.

McQuade was the next United player to get on the scoresheet, receiving the ball from Dodds on the edge of the box before curling into the top corner to make it 4-0 after just 23 minutes.

The hosts responded, with Kendall Charlton turning home from a corner at the back post to reduce Newcastle's advantage to three goals.

Dodds threatened once more but, after cutting inside onto her left foot, the winger could only find the side netting.

McQuade grabbed her second and Newcastle's fifth of the game soon after, flicking the ball over a defender before finishing nonchalantly on the volley.

On the stroke of half-time, Unity hit back once more, with Megan Cardenas' long-range effort giving Grace Donnelly no chance, cutting Newcastle's advantage to three for the second time in the match.

Donnelly was then forced into a smart save, with the Magpies keeper turning the ball away at full stretch to ensure Langley's team went in at the break with a 5-2 lead.

Newcastle continued to press in the second half, with Milne-Redhead firing wide after being found in a dangerous position by Dodds.

Greenwood and Soulsby both tried their luck from distance, but Unity were untroubled by their efforts.

Chances were less forthcoming in the second period but with 76 minutes on the clock, substitute Wilkinson added a sixth for the Magpies will a well-struck free-kick.

Soulsby may have been denied earlier on in the half, but the hosts couldn't thwart her a second time, as the winger took the scoreline to an emphatic 7-2 with a superb solo goal.

Having controlled the game from start to finish, Langley's team added further gloss on the commanding victory with Barker getting in on the act deep into injury time before McQuade completed her hat-trick with a delightful chip.

The Magpies will be eagerly anticipating confirmation of their Women's FA Cup second round opponents, with an eye-watering FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division fixture against Nottingham Forest Women, at the City Ground, next up for the lasses on Sunday, 19th November.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Daisy Burt, Naomi Bedeau (Sharna Wilkinson 46), Hannah Greenwood, Grace Boyes, Tyler Dodds, Cara Milne-Redhead (Katie Barker 60), Jasmine McQuade, Amber-Keegan Stobbs (c), Anna Soulsby, Becky Ferguson (Bridget Galloway 76)

Subs not used: Emma Kelly, Georgia Gibson, Charlotte Potts

Report by Joseph Nelson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock