Becky Langley's side started out with much vigour and intent and it never went away throughout the 90 minutes - even during a mid-match break due to a thunderstorm - with first-half goals from Georgia Gibson and Elysia Boddy being added to by a second-half finish from Bridget Galloway.

The result means the Magpies are three wins from three across all competitions at the start of the new season - their inaugural campaign as a full-time team following promotion to the third-tier last term.

Cagey opening stages were played out among the sides, with Kacie Elson's break in behind stopped in the build-up by the offside flag.

As the half progressed, Newcastle looked the most likely to open the scoring, being met by a stern Stoke defence.

The biggest roar from the crowd came on 20 minutes when Tyler Dodds' cross was cleared into the path of Elson, but the winger's effort failed to trouble Georgie Ferguson.

But the visitors' resilience was broken just a minute later when Gibson turned inside the box after being fed the ball by Galloway and arrowed a finish into the bottom corner.

It wasn't long before the Magpies doubled their lead either, as Boddy swept home from the edge of the box after a Stoke clearance.

Like London buses, Newcastle almost had their third in quick succession but no team-mate was able to get a telling touch on Gibson's fizzed cross.

As half-time came into view, United showed few signs of easing their pressure on the Stoke defence. Superb build-up play between Galloway and Dodds resulted in the latter one-on-one with Ferguson, only for the goalkeeper to thwart her effort.

Moments later, Stoke looked destined to halve the deficit when Roisin Kivel broke through on goal, but the striker dragged her strike wide.

Newcastle's threat was consistent throughout the first half, with Gibson next to be denied by Ferguson after a clever one-two with Elson.

Almost instantly after the restart, the Magpies thought they were three goals to the good, but Galloway was adjudged to have strayed offside.

Rain had hammered down throughout the first half and, after it continued into the second and lightning began, play was suspended on 52 minutes.

The action resumed ten minutes later and, while the lightning had gone from the sky, Langley's side were no less electrifying.

But on the hour mark, against the run of play, Stoke grabbed a goal through Abby Hunt, whose lobbed effort floated over Hannah Reid and into the far corner.

Substitute Becky Ferguson had only been on for a matter of moments before breaking down the right and crossing from the right for Galloway, who made no mistake to restore Newcastle's two-goal cushion with 76 minutes on the clock.

Fellow second-half introduction Katie Barker very nearly had the same impact, driving down the right and firing a dangerous cross to Elson, with United's number 11 having the door closed on her by Ferguson's sprawling stop.

Amber-Keegan Stobbs was next to try her luck, stinging Ferguson's palms after Elson's crossfield ball bobbled through to her.

As the match entered the closing stages, Hannah Greenwood was issued two yellow cards in quick succession, resulting in the midfielder being dismissed.

But Newcastle managed the remainder of the match professionally to see out the victory, continuing their perfect start in the third tier.

Newcastle United Women: Hannah Reid, Olivia Watt, Charlotte Potts, Naomi Bedeau (Daisy Burt 90), Tyler Dodds (Becky Ferguson 70), Elysia Boddy, Hannah Greenwood, Kacie Elson (Anna Soulsby 86), Amber-Keegan Stobbs, Georgia Gibson (Katie Barker 70), Bridget Galloway (Cara Milne-Redhead 89)

Subs not used: None

Report by Joseph Nelson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock