NUWFC v DFC Barclays Women’s Super League 2 – 16/11/25
NUWFC 0 – DFC 1 (HT 0 – 1)
Venue: Gateshead International Stadium (GIS)
Att: Not disclosed*
PoTM: Kelly
A direct clash with NUFC (aka the Not Lasses) meant Newcastle city was heaving with black and white shirts; on the Metro two Lasses’ fans in shirts and scarves were asked why they were going the ‘wrong way?’. The young women in question calmly explained that Newcastle Women (aka the Lasses) were playing as well but at the GIS. This shows that there’s still a way to go in publicising the Lasses and something the club needs to work on.
The last match of the season was against Durham, a ‘derby’ that means a lot more to them (although you wouldn’t think so with the attendance from the Woo Platoon). Lasses’ fans don’t see it as a derby (that’s obviously against the mackems) but an easy to get to local away fixture, but want to beat them, because of the poor visiting fan experience (that’s being tactful) that a number of Lasses’ fans have suffered in recent visits.
On to the team sheet, and in goal was of course Tamminem; defence consisted of Mannion, Cooper, Purfield and Stokes; midfield was Gautrat, Kelly and Nobbs; with Sevenius, Murphy and Lumsden up front, in a 4-3-3. For Durham a certain Amber-Keegan Stobbs was present in their starting 11; the former NUWFC Captain who’s departure from the Lasses last season (under the previous management team) was unforeseen and shocked many people, including her. Stobbs was my favourite player, and her name is on the back of my shirt, more to come from her in this match…
A while ago Wor Flags had floated the idea of a Lasses specific crowd surfer flag that was to be funded (as all their work is) by fans alone. Wor Flags continued support of the Lasses was crowned by the unveiling of this flag just before kick-off. This was to be the highlight of the day sadly.
The Lasses started brightly and were on the front foot from the off. Lumsden had the beating of Durham’s #2 and Nobbs was buzzing about as usual with Kelly ‘directing traffic’ and breaking up their attacks and on 10’ one of Nobbs’ efforts just flew past the post. Two minutes later Nobbs again had a header just over the bar. The Lasses started as they had done away at Bristol City with perceptive passing and incisive runs, but the first goal from them was not forthcoming.
Murphy was getting a lot of ‘attention’ from Durham’s players being identified as a significant threat. As with every game against the Woos the ‘dark arts’ were in evidence and it needed a strong referee to keep a lid on things, which this one was not. Oxtoby was red carded at the end of the game against Bristol due to comments made to the fourth Official and therefore was missing from the dug-out for this game. Durham were channelling Wimbledon in the 90s and their efforts were mostly missed by the ref.
A Sevenius header and shot from Gautrat were blocked and saved respectively and as in most games this season the quality in the final third was lacking. The need for a goal scoring forward being highlighted yet again.
The only goal of the game came in the 40’ and the immutable law of the returning former player was invoked and a lovely chip from Stobbs put the Woos in the lead. Stobbs has missed large parts of this season through injury and hadn’t scored for Durham before this match, typical…
Murphy was sent through moments after the re-start and rifled a shot at goal only for it to trouble the side netting and not their keeper. Three minutes of extra time came and went with only another saved shot from Murphy to try and change the score before half time.
No substitutions were made at half time, but Gautrat was put on Stobbs who was having a great game. After ten minutes however Newcastle did make changes – Larsson coming on for Murphy and Gregory for Sevenius and the formation changed to a 3-5-2. A flurry of half chances and shots followed, Lumsden’s daisy cutter shot from inside the box just went past the post and Nobbs was sent through for a good chance by Larsson, but her shot was saved.
Gautrat was replaced by Joel on 66’ and a series of cynical fouls from Durham gave the Lasses chances from free kicks, but nothing came from them. A tactical ‘injury’ to the Durham keeper, who didn’t know the rule about delaying goal kicks and wasn’t reminded about it by the ref, was loudly booed by home fans. Hayles came on for Cooper on 79’ but didn’t look like getting the required equaliser
On 89’ Nobbs was brought down on the edge of the box, initially it looked like a penalty, but the foul was just outside; I say foul, but the ref gave nothing. I don’t want to sound like a stuck record, but officiating at this level isn’t good enough. Moments later Larsson had a shot way over the bar and 5’ of extra time ended the season with a defeat for the Lasses.
A Fans Player of the Season award was presented to Nobbs and Molly Pike’s retirement from football was marked by the players and fans alike with a guard of honour. At only 26 years of age and for personal reasons to ‘prioritise my wellbeing’ her retirement is a brave decision. All the Lasses fans wish her the very best for the future – ‘Molly, Molly, Molly – Pike, Pike, Pike!’
Hayles in a post on her social media channels after the game, stated that she was leaving Newcastle as well. This wasn’t as surprising as Pike’s departure, as unfortunately Hayles hasn’t found any of the form from last season when she was the league’s joint top scorer. She’ll always be remembered as the scorer of the goal that beat the Mackems at SJP in front of over 39,000 fans and I wish her well in the rest of her career.
These two announcements are I feel the start of another close season of significant comings and goings. Some fan favourites will depart, and some new fan favourites will hopefully join. I can dream of Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway returning home to play for their team, but that isn’t going to happen!
Congratulations to Birmigham and Crystal Palace on their promotion to WSL1 and commiserations to Portsmouth on their relegation to Tier 3. Charlton who were leading the WSL2 for so long ended up third and face a one-off play-off match against Leicester the bottom placed WSL1 team to either confirm Charlton’s promotion or Leicester’s relegation to WSL2.
In the little matter of NE bragging rights, the Lasses finished higher in the table than either the Mackems or Woos. Next season their ambitions need to be significantly higher.
This season has been a disappointment to be honest from being one of the favourites for promotion to finishing sixth hasn’t been good enough. The change in management and in the back room was needed and hopefully a close season to train and some good recruitment will see Oxtoby’s team make a better effort at gaining promotion. Next season however there will only be two promotion places – one automatic and one play-off against the bottom WSL1 team.
Whatever the close season holds I’ll do the occasional report to keep you updated. Thanks for reading my reports over the season and if you haven’t been to watch the Lasses before, why not give it a go next season?
*The attendance figure wasn’t announced but in a post-match interview it was stated that it was the highest league attendance of the season; your guess is as good as mine!
Enjoy the summer and as ever –
Howay the Lasses!
