This week's Number 1, Anna Tamminen Ey Ey

A brilliant Sunday afternoon as Newcastle United Women continued our WSL2 streak over Sunderland leaving St James Park with a 3-1 win and moving up to 4^th in league before the international break.

Before the match the atmosphere was already building with a performance from Howay again and chants already being sung from the usual suspects and the anticipation for kick off continued to grow. The line ups came out and saw a debut given for Finnish international Anna Tamminen as well as the Mackem slayer herself Beth Lumsden. Injury to Liefting gave Tamminen a great chance to come into the side and show her quality.

If there was a Newcastle Fan song top 10 chart show I’m certain what would be at number 1 this week.

In the first half there weren’t many chances of note, but Newcastle dominated possession with 66% in the first half. (According to Flashscores)

Then came a second half that will live long in the memory of the Newcastle United Women’s Community.

Sunderland were awarded a penalty for a handball against Mannion. The crowd amplified as the noise combination of boos, putting off the taker and an increasingly iconic chant supporting our goalkeeper in the Gallowgate corner. It felt like a massive moment when the call was made, the game was ready for a spark and whatever the outcome of the penalty this was going to be the game changing moment.

Penalty SAVED

Anna Tamminen made herself an instant hero saving the penalty to the delight of the Toon army and that moment, the atmosphere in the stadium and the arrival of Emily Murphy on as substitute was the catalyst for another big win over our biggest rivals. 

Deanna Cooper scored in the 63^rd Minute to put us a goal up, Emily Murphy added a second three minutes later again to give us a bit of a cushion. Sunderland put a miniscule spanner in the works to pull a goal back.

Emma Kelly who came on after half time unfortunately had to come off with an injury that occurred during the build up to Sunderland’s goal and we wish her the best and hope the injury can be recovered from as soon as possible.

The atmosphere following the penalty save was electric, befitting of the massive derby that it is. I haven't watched the full game back yet saving that for later in the week but, the emotion and elation in the stadium was fully evident and the the lasses channelled and used that perfectly as the minutes ticked by with their 2-1 lead in the bank.

The win was complete on 78 minutes when Emily Murphy scored following a brilliant counterattack and assist from Oona Sevenius. The Oona Movement continues to grow and our fan favourite has five goal contributions in 9 appearances for the lasses this season.

It was an historic afternoon that will be talked about for the rest of the season. Our strong set pieces led to two goals, Emily Murphy’s impact when she came on was staggering, we dug in and used the atmosphere and emotion from the crowd in the right way and delivered a statement performance and result in the context of the season.

I am incredibly guilty of looking ahead and trying to map out how fixtures go and with the broken-up nature of league fixtures between now and January the win on Sunday was vital for the league campaign as well as the bragging rights.

Claire Ditchburn and Peter Ramage have led us to 7 points from 9 in their interim spell in charge which has brought some consistency and stability to the season. Regardless of where you stood on the Becky Langley decision, Claire has done a brilliant job and if her name is in the hat for the job permanently, she has done her chances no harm at all.

I do suspect that a decision will be made during the women’s international break but as I mentioned before the broken-up nature of October-January with cup, International and winter breaks surrounding two league fixtures, taking the extra time to assess candidates wouldn’t be a negative in my opinion. However, as I say do think the decision will be made before the Southampton game.

One final thing to mention about is crowd in attendance on Sunday. I know I sound like a broken record, but the NUW community is incredible, and I cannot speak highly enough of it. I was in the Gallowgate corner, and it never felt like there was a massive lull in atmosphere on Sunday. Even in the first half when the on-pitch action was only simmering the chants kept coming, the support was outstanding and the experience of being a Newcastle United Women’s fan remains unrivalled.

I was asked on Sunday when speaking about my journeys to games why I do it, or could I go and watch a local side, and the answer is very simple I love Newcastle United Football Club. How I ended up supporting us from when I was four years old was a complete lottery, but almost 33 years later, I wouldn’t change it for anything and being part of the Newcastle United Women’s community over the last two seasons has allowed me the privilege of experiencing it firsthand. It’s an experience I do not take for granted and I am forever grateful for being a part of it. There is one potential scenario in my personal life where I will have to be a bit selective with travelling and during that time I will be watching and supporting Cirencester Town ladies a lot more in person but until that moment comes, I will enjoy the ride, soak up every moment and Sunday beating Sunderland in that atmosphere was a moment that will be remembered.

Sunday was a massive result in the moment and could be a massive moment in the context of the season. How much of an impact the result has will be clearer in a couple months but until then we take thing’s game by game, prepare for another game in the “Would rather have a Greggs” Cup and go into the Women’s international break feeling positive and thinking about that Lovely day of November 16^th.

HOWAY THE LASSES.