Langley: We want a good cup run

The Lady Magpies reached the fourth round last season, where they were defeated narrowly by tier-three side Ipswich Town Women.

That clash was at Kingston Park - the venue for this Sunday's third qualifying round against Gateshead - and Langley is looking forward to playing at the 10,000-capacity arena again, after hosting several fixtures there already this term.

"We're delighted to be playing at Kingston Park and the club's commitment to allow us to play cup games as well as league games there," she said.

"I think it's a good opportunity for us to score some goals, gain some confidence and kick on. I know Gateshead will be really up for the game and we look forward to welcoming them to Kingston Park."

She added: "We want to get back to winning ways in the league and the game in the FA Cup will also give us a chance to get 90 minutes in the tank before we go again the following week, against York."

Despite Rutherford Ladies plying their trade in Durham County FA League One, three tiers below Newcastle, Langley insists her side won't be taking the tie lightly.

"We want a good cup run," she said. "We thoroughly enjoyed last season's cup run which resulted in that match at Kingston Park against Ipswich, and we felt like we could have kicked on.

"We love the magic of the cup, and we want to have a good FA Cup run so we will be taking the competition seriously."

And a cup fixture allows United to rotate, with the returns of summer signing Emma Wallis - who is yet to start a competitive fixture for the Lady Magpies this season - and recent arrival Mille Bell bolstering Langley's ranks for this one, and the coming weeks.

"I think it's important that we gain an extra week to allow our injured players to get closer to fitness," said the Newcastle manager, who is still without the likes of Olivia Watt, Ellen Packham, Rachel Lee, Grace Boyes, Sharna Wilkinson, Erin Nelson and Anna Soulsby.

"Millie Bell, our new signing, is back into contact training next week, so that will be a big boost for us. She's an experienced player who has played in tier three and won tier four with Middlesbrough.

"Other than that, Emma Wallis gained her first 90 minutes at the weekend in a friendly."

Newcastle Women, who welcomed leading sports travel experts Sportsbreaks.com as their new Official Training Kit partner earlier this week, host Gateshead Rutherford Ladies at Kingston Park in the Vitality Women's FA Cup on Sunday, 23rd October. Kick-off is at 2pm (BST).