Newcastle United 4-1 Sheffield United | Match report

On a day several of clubs in the WSL and WSL 2 remember the lives of Maddy Cusack and Matt Beard, Newcastle welcomed Sheffield United - who have lost both opening games of the season, meanwhile our Lasses picked maximum points in their opening two fixtures.

The breakthrough at Gateshead came after 15 minutes, when Martha Thomas slipped a clever pass into Beth Lumsden on the edge of the box. Lumsden took it in stride and unleashed a crisp strike with her left foot, sending it flying into the top corner for a superb finish. Just three minutes later, the Lasses doubled their advantage. Mollie Lambert tied up The Blades defence with sharp footwork, allowing Kaitlyn Torpey to arrive and guide a composed low effort into the bottom corner past Sian Rogers. It was Torpey’s first goal for the Magpies, and it capped off a blistering start from the home side.

Sheffield United tried to respond quickly. On 21 minutes, Charlie Devlin curled an effort over the bar after Newcastle failed to clear their lines — a warning that the visitors weren’t out of it. Newcastle continued to create, though. On 28 minutes, Thomas produced a moment of real quality with a stunning back‑heel around her marker on the right flank. The Blades couldn’t clear, and the ball fell kindly to Lois Joel, who fired over from a promising position. The Blades grew in confidence, and Quinn nearly struck again on 39 minutes. Newcastle failed to clear a crowded box, allowing her to get a left‑footed shot away, but it rose high into the side netting.

But the Magpies’ control wavered at 31 minutes, and Sheffield United found a lifeline. A back‑pass from Jemma Purfield caused hesitation, and Anna Tamminen was slow off her line. Her attempted clearance ricocheted off Lucy Quinn and bounced into the net, pulling the visitors back into the contest.

However, Newcastle exploded into the second half with breathtaking intensity, restoring their two‑goal cushion almost instantly. Just 12 seconds after the restart, Kaitlyn Torpey burst down the left flank, powering past her marker before whipping in a sensational cross, Martha Thomas rose brilliantly to meet it, heading home with authority to make it 3–1 and ignite everyone at the International Stadium.

The Magpies kept their foot on the gas, and their pressure paid off again on 53 minutes. Beth Lumsden won a challenge and surged forward, with Thomas smartly getting herself back onside, Lumsden squared the ball across the box, leaving Thomas with a simple tap‑in for her second of the afternoon and Newcastle’s fourth. The home side were flying.

Sheffield United tried to respond, and they came close on 61 minutes when former Magpie Amy Andrews struck from inside the box and Anna Tamminen reacted superbly, tipping the effort onto the post before Newcastle scrambled the danger clear — a huge moment that preserved the three‑goal cushion. Barely a minute later, Newcastle nearly added another as The Blades failed to clear their lines, and substitute Jordan Nobbs, fresh onto the pitch, connected sweetly with a volley that flashed narrowly wide. It would’ve been a dream introduction.

The visitors continued to push, and Andrews threatened again on 74 minutes, driving in from the left and unleashing a powerful strike. Tamminen was equal to it, tipping the ball over the bar with another excellent save. Newcastle finished strongly, managing the game well and still carving out chances. In the 90th minute, Sevenius showed great strength to hold off her marker before slipping the ball to Freya Gregory, whose shot was pushed behind for a corner.

When the final whistle blew, Newcastle’s dominance — especially their electric start to the second half — secured another impressive victory in Gateshead. The Magpies sit top of the WSL2, continuing their superb early‑season form.

Starting XI: Tamminen, McLaughlin, Mannion, Purfield, Torpey, Lumsden (Sevenius 83), Bradley, Joel (Attonsdottir 67), Lambert (Kiernan 67), McGovern (Nobbs 61), Thomas (Gregory 83).

Subs not used: Rendell, Wardlaw, Nemeth, Evans