Passionate Potts pleased with 'important' debut win

Potts, who previously played for Newcastle Women between 2011 and 2014, was officially announced prior to kick-off at the Norton Sports Complex, after she was given clearance to make her second debut for the club.

Following the Lady Magpies' vital win, which saw Becky Langley's side move level with Barnsley Women at the top of the FA Women's National League Division One North, Potts expressed her pride in returning to her childhood club.

"I've supported Newcastle growing up as a kid," she said. "(I remember) going to St. James' Park with my uncle and getting goosebumps listening to Local Hero.

"Being back wearing that badge, there is more emotion involved (than my previous clubs), and you seem to play with more passion."

The defender also believes that the narrow 1-0 scoreline - which came courtesy of Ellie Dobson's second-half header - flattered the hosts, who were unbeaten going into the game.

"The scoreline looked narrower than it actually was," she said. "We had a lot of control.

"In the first half we were creating the opportunities, but it was just lacking a clean finish to take the lead. In the second half, Norton were trying to be a bit more physical and disturb us that way, but once we got the goal (we managed the match well).

"Ultimately promotion is the goal, and the three points is what's going to be the most important."

An experienced performer who has previously represented Swiss side FF Lugano, Hibernian Women, Sunderland Ladies and Calgary Foothills in Canada, Potts hopes to help Newcastle's younger players develop and she has already started issuing advice to her new team-mates.

"To be honest, we are a good technical team," she said. "So now I'm a more experienced player, I've got the ability to mix passion and composure. I was trying to instil that into the other girls and try to make them trust in their own ability and stay calm and just play good football.

"Being abroad in different countries, being coached by different coaches, you pick up bits and pieces from each place that you go, and you learn new styles of play.

"I think they all become useful when you bring them to a new environment, because you're just stacking up the knowledge and sharing it (with your team-mates)."

Looking ahead to the rest of the campaign, and beyond, Newcastle Women's new defender has lofty ambitions for her career at the club.

"Promotion for this season (is a target) without a doubt," she said. "Then, the ultimate goal is the WSL (Women's Super League). It would be the best thing ever to see Newcastle Women in the WSL alongside the men in the Premier League."

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC