Gibson hoping to 'kick on' after goalscoring return

"It's really good to be back on the pitch," she said. "I have had a little bit of a frustrating start to 2022, with having Covid and then breaking my toe.

"I was really eager to be back, especially with the run of games we've got, and coming towards the end of the season.

"Hopefully now I can kick on for the rest of the season and help the team the best I can to end the season successfully."

Gibson joined the action on 55 minutes, after a lacklustre first half from both sides, and put the Lady Magpies ahead almost immediately.

"My aim was to go on and lift the energy," she said. "But to be able to put us 1-0 up after four minutes on the pitch was great, and from there we really pushed on."

And the Newcastle Women midfielder explained what changed in the second half that allowed Langley's side to end the match with a comfortable 4-0 win.

She said: "We had movement ahead of the ball, third-player runs, and our passing was more accurate.

"But we need to ensure that we have 90-minute complete performances and that's something we will look to put right in the next game."

Gibson was quick to praise the Lady Magpies' defence and goalkeeper Grace Donnelly for providing a solid foundation from which Langley's team could build.

"We have to give credit to the back five," she said. "The opposition had no shots on target for the full game.

"As a unit collectively they have been great, not just in this game but in every game. That is why our goal difference is as high as it is."

United Women face Chester le Street Town Ladies on Wednesday evening, before travelling to Leeds United Women on Sunday, and Gibson hopes that the Lady Magpies can maintain momentum between now and the end of the campaign.

She said: "It's a very important part of the season. We need to ensure we stay focused, manage ourselves well and ensure we continue to gain three points every week."

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC