Despite initially going behind, Becky Langley's side overcame the newly promoted side with two goals in each half to earn a vital three points in the first match of the season.

The opening stages of the match were intense, and Kacie Elson almost opened the scoring within the very first minute, seeing her left-footed effort thwarted by the Merseyrail goalkeeper.

Langley's side continued to impose themselves on the FAWNL Division One North newcomers, with Beth Guy coming agonisingly close to connecting with Georgia Gibson's dangerous delivery at the far post.

However, the hosts reacted to the early Lady Magpies' pressure, with a drilled effort flying narrowly wide of the post.

Then, with just 13 minutes on the clock, Merseyrail took the lead as Leah Collins nicked the ball away from Keira Skelton on the counter-attack, before finishing clinically past the onrushing Grace Donnelly.

Despite going behind, Newcastle responded positively and almost had an instant response, but deliveries from both Elson and Daisy Burt were cleared well by the hosts.

The Lady Magpies were finally rewarded for their pressure on 26 minutes when Lauren Robson - who had been denied just a minute earlier - raced onto Barker's exquisite through ball and clipped the ball nonchalantly beyond the 'keeper.

This goal galvanised Langley's side, but Merseyrail remained stern defensively to keep the scores level.

But the hosts' resilience was broken for the second time just two minutes before the break, with a superbly worked move between Elson and Skelton culminating in a composed finish from Gibson from just inside the box.

The visitors started the second period the faster of the two sides, with a corner being headed over just moments after the restart.

But it was Langley's side who had the first clear-cut chance of the second half, with Burt finding Becky Ferguson expertly before the attacker's goalbound strike was saved smartly by the Merseyrail 'keeper.

As the half progressed, Newcastle sought to extend their lead, but a handful of impressive blocks and last-ditch challenges ensured the deficit remained at just one.

The hosts then came close to drawing level, but brilliant defending from Freya Bailes saw the centre-back recover and make a goal-saving challenge after Donnelly had been rounded by Sophie Perry.

As the game entered the closing stages, debutant Ellie Dobson - who had entered the action in place of Ferguson - announced her arrival at the club with an impressive brace to put the result beyond doubt.

The midfielder was first to react inside the box to poke home in the 76th minute and rose high to head home a whipped free-kick delivery from Robson in the 88th.

Dobson's double ensured that Langley's side returned to Tyneside with a vital three points, starting the 2022/23 season in perfect fashion.

Next up for the Lady Magpies is a highly anticipated fixture with Stockport County Ladies on Sunday, 28th August at Kingston Park.

Newcastle United. Women: Grace Donnelly, Daisy Burt, Ellen Packham (Jess Spark 11), Freya Bailes, Keira Skelton, Beth Guy, Georgia Gibson (Rosie Missen 89), Lauren Robson, Becky Ferguson (Ellie Dobson 58), Kacie Elson (Lois Greenslade 75), Katie Barker

Sub not used: Sharna Wilkinson

Report by Joseph Nelson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC