County Ladies made their long anticipated return to action at the weekend, as they took on title challengers Newcastle United in a big game at SSV. Find out all about how they got on in our first weekly update of 2023.
County run title contenders Newcastle close:
After a three week break from league matches, Steve O’Hara’s team were keen to get back to competitive football. A post-Christmas friendly with Liverpool Feds had left the County Manager with a slight headache, as defender Chloe Howard and midfielder Hanifa Douglas both picked up injuries and were unavailable to face title favourites, Newcastle United in the opening FAWNL fixture of 2023. This gave opportunities for Rachel Unsworth, recently joined from Tranmere Rovers, Maisie Malone and Georgia Johnson to join the squad.
The unfortunate clash of match times with the FA Cup game at EP meant County support was reduced for this big fixture, but spectator numbers were impressive with many fans travelling down from the North-East to support Newcastle.
County started strongly against the side that won 2-0 in the corresponding away fixture back in August, Em Bradshaw skimming the post in the opening minutes. There was an extended break in play after six minutes to allow treatment to a Newcastle player, who unfortunately had to leave the pitch. This had ramifications for County as Owens, the recently signed Newcastle substitute, scored the opening goal from a corner in the 30th minute.
The game had been closely contested for the first half, but Newcastle had made and converted the better chances and were arguably deserving of their 0-1 lead at the break.
The second half didn’t start well for County with Newcastle doubling their lead on 50 minutes, but seven minutes later the visitors were reduced to ten players after Barker, scorer of their second goal, was dismissed for a second yellow card.
This gave County an advantage they were quick to exploit. A change of shape and four minutes later Maria Figueiredo connected with a Lily Weston cross to smash a volley into the roof of the net! 1-2.
Unsworth came on for Jess Rawstron to make her debut appearance, taking up a position in midfield in the changed formation.
County were getting the upper hand now and pressed hard to regain parity, Kenzie Bentley going close with a cheeky back-heel on 64 minutes and Kenedy Owen seeing her free-kick saved by the keeper. Then, on 74 minutes, Newcastle restored their two-goal cushion with a diving header at the near post following a free kick.
A flurry of substitutions followed from both sides followed, giving further experience for Reserve regulars Johnson and Malone.
Malone played a key role in County’s second goal with five minutes left on the clock. She got between a defender and the keeper allowing Figueiredo to lift the ball into the far corner. 2-3.
Eight minutes of extra time was played following several delays for injuries and County continued to press hard for a late equalizer, but to no avail.
Following the game Steve O’Hara was pleased with the performance in what he knew would be a tough fixture.
“First game back after the Christmas break and it doesn’t come much tougher than Newcastle United. We had several players missing through injury, so it was going to be a real backs-to-the wall job.
I was disappointed to concede before the break and particularly from a set piece. That said, we were well in the game.
I said to the girls at half time to just keep doing what we are doing. They scored quickly in the second half but then went down to 10 which really gave us a lift. We changed shape and it immediately paid off.
I was very proud of the performance against a real quality side who are favourites for the league. We have come a long way in the year I’ve been in charge, and that showed on Sunday.
A few weeks break from league action now, where we can get some work done on a few things and look forward to some friendlies against some quality teams”
County’s remain fourth place in the league, despite the Newcastle result, and our next home game will be on 12th February, when we host Norton and Stockton at SSV.
