Barker: 'It's the best day of my life'

Kacie Elson had opened the scoring in the first half and after being introduced in the second period, Barker was on hand late on to put the result beyond any doubt.

After the match, and the celebrations that followed, the striker reflected on a memorable afternoon in South Yorkshire.

"(It's) absolutely amazing," she said. "It's the best day of my life.

"I said that about St. James' (last year) but this will top it as we are finally promoted. It's been so hard this season."

Having come on as a second-half substitute, Barker made the desired impact, reacting first inside the box after her initial strike and then Elson's follow-up were thwarted, and she wheeled away in celebration with the entire Newcastle Women's squad and staff.

"I always back myself to make such a big impact," she added. "I think the girls did a good job of tiring the defence so it was just for me to reap the rewards really.

"My job is to defend from the front so I'm always trying to press and close things down and if I get an opportunity hopefully take it and luckily today I did."

The clash with Barnsley was tense, and despite Elson's opener, there was a growing sense of anxiety among the travelling Newcastle supporters.

But United's mental strength to remain composed and eventually get the late goal is something that Barker says is a key trait of Langley's side.

"It pretty much defines us," she said. "We never ever stopped battling until the end and I think in a lot of games this season we have tied them up at the end of games and that shows our fitness, our determination."

Newcastle Women will now ply their trade in the third tier of women's football next term, after edging out Durham Cestria on goal difference at the top of the FA Women's National League Division One table.

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC