Newcastle United ran out comfortable 4-0 winners against Alnwick Town, but they did it in style in front of a record-breaking crowd at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United were roared on by a very noisy 22,134 Geordies and they were treated to a fantastic display which saw the Magpies make history playing at St James’ Park for the very first time.
Katie Barker opened the scoring in front of over 22,000 Newcastle fans as she slotted home into an empty net.
Brooke Cochrane doubled the lead after 35 minutes as she netted from the penalty spot.
Georgia Gibson added a third minutes into the second half after a mazy run into the box.
Beth Guy scored from the penalty spot to make it 4-0 to Newcastle after 60 minutes.
A new attendance record set
It was a bright start from the hosts with Katie Barker seeing a close-range effort scoop over the bar, before she saw a low effort saved well by Katy Stark.
Barker, donning the famous number nine shirt, slotted home from close range after 22 minutes, but the striker had strayed offside before doing so.
After being denied by the offside flag minutes earlier, Barker found herself free in the box with the ball having fallen to her feet and she welcomed the roar after opening the scoring.
Kacie Elson was tripped inside the area which gave captain Cochrane the chance to double the lead which she did as her spot-kick found the bottom corner.
The eruption of noise when both Barker and Cochrane scored was something to behold and a magical moment for everyone at Newcastle.
Newcastle United put in professional display
Gibson picked up the ball midway into Alnwick’s half before gliding past four players and then calmly finishing into the bottom corner in front of a packed out Gallowgate End.
Erin Nelson did well to win the ball in Alnwick’s half before being brought down in the penalty box, allowing Guy to step u and score in front of the Gallowgate.
Guy missed her first spot-kick, but with Katy Stark coming off her line, the midfielder was handed a second chance, something she duly took.
Newcastle United ran out very comfortable winners at St James’ Park with Becky Langley’s side putting on a show for the biggest ever crowd at a Women’s football match in England this season.
Player of the Match: Bethany Guy
The midfielder was instrumental in the way that Newcastle dictated the tempo of the game and was putting herself about in the defensive aspect of the game, while also advancing forward dangerously.
Guy was also fortunate enough to score in front of a packed out Gallowgate End which was the best possible way she could have capped off a stunning display at St James’ Park.
