A record 22,134 crowd turned out to see Becky Langley's side play at the iconic stadium for the first time, and they weren't disappointed as goals from Katie Barker, Brooke Cochrane, Georgia Gibson, and Beth Guy earned the Lady Magpies all three points.

United made a lightning-fast start to the match, with Kacie Elson driving down the left and crossing for Barker, whose close-range effort flew inches over the crossbar.

Langley's side maintained their early pressure, with Gibson dragging a long-range effort wide before seeing another held by Katy Stark.

Newcastle Women continued to search for an opener as the first half progressed, but Alnwick Town remained firm to suppress the Lady Magpies' efforts.

The visitors responded through Melody Brooks, but the Alnwick left-back saw her effort held well by Grace Donnelly.

Moments later, Barker thought she had scored Newcastle Women's first-ever goal at St. James' Park, but the linesman ruled it out for offside.

But after 28 minutes, the Newcastle Women number nine did get on the scoresheet, pouncing on a loose ball in the box to finish calmly into an empty net following a challenge between Elson and Stark.

Alnwick looked to make an instant response, but when Michelle Stewart went through on goal, Ellen Packham recovered well to make a superb last-ditch tackle.

And just minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead, with captain Cochrane finishing her penalty into the bottom corner after Elson was fouled in the box.

As half time approached, Stewart was released in behind for the visitors again, but the striker couldn't find the target.

Langley's side almost had a third on the stroke of half time, but Stark was able to parry behind after Erin Nelson skipped past two players and delivered a dangerous cross.

Kicking towards the Gallowgate End, Langley's side began the second half in the same scintillating fashion as the first. Gibson made it 3-0 moments after the restart, effortlessly beating three defenders and firing low into the bottom corner.

Langley's side didn't rest on their laurels and were awarded another penalty on the hour-mark when Nelson was fouled in the box. Despite the initial penalty having to be retaken, Guy made no mistake the second time round to give the Lady Magpies a four-goal lead.

As the second half progressed, United searched for a fifth, but when Lauren Robson was found by Nelson's cross-field ball, the winger dragged her left-footed effort wide of the post.

With just five minutes to go, substitute Rosie Missen almost made it 5-0, but the midfielder's glancing header grazed the crossbar.

Langley's side maintained their pressure on the visitors' defence in the closing stages and were able to see out a professional - and historic - win.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Olivia Watt, Ellen Packham, Keira Skelton (Jane Harland 57), Erin Nelson (Georgina Spraggon 78), Beth Guy, Sharna Wilkinson (Rosie Missen 69), Kacie Elson (Lauren Robson 57), Georgia Gibson (Becky Ferguson 78), Katie Barker

Sub not used: Erin White

Report by Joseph Nelson