Gibson pleased to progress in County Cup

The midfielder's three goals against Blyth took her tally to seven across the past three fixtures, having already netted in the Vitality Women's FA Cup win over Harrogate Town Ladies last Sunday and notched another treble in Wednesday's league win over Chester le Street Town Ladies. 

Of her recent goalscoring form, Gibson said: "To be contributing as many goals as I am is a shock, but it is a nice one. We set out to add goals to our game as a team, so to be contributing to that feels good."

The Lady Magpies entered the County Cup fixture as holders and reacting to the victory, Gibson revealed her delight in getting the cup campaign off to a strong start.

"It is really good for us, in terms of being consistent with all of our performances," she said. "Regardless of which competition we are playing in, we aim to be consistent with the level of our performance."

The emphatic victory also meant that Becky Langley's side had won all three games in a busy week of fixtures, where they competed across three different competitions - the Vitality Women's FA Cup, the FA Women's National League Division One North and the Bluefin Sport Insurance Women's Cup.

Reacting to the Lady Magpies' form, Gibson said: "To get three wins from three across different competitions allows us to maintain our consistency, both in scoring goals and defending well. It helps build momentum and supports us moving forward."

Next weekend, Langley's side travel to face Salford City Lionesses in the second round of the Women's FA Cup. This is a fixture that Gibson says excites the Newcastle Women's squad greatly.

"It is huge," she said. "Everyone wants to go as far as they can in the FA Cup. We are confident that we can go into the game and get the win. Both as a team and individually, we should be confident going into it."

Gibson's belief is born out of the Lady Magpies' scintillating form. Currently second in the FA Women's National League Division One North, Newcastle United Women have a huge goal difference of +23 from just eight matches. 

While the statistics are impressive, Gibson asserted that there is more to this squad than simply scoring goals. 

She said: "Compared to previous seasons, we are all on the same page. We all understand the aims and outcomes that we want to achieve this season.

"There is a great togetherness in the squad, and how close-knit we are as a squad has put us in a good place this season."

In addition, the midfielder outlined her aims for the busy winter period.

"I think times like this are when the size and depth of our squad is important," she added. "Everyone needs to be ready to have an impact.

"We want to be a team that other teams fear coming to play."

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC