The Merseysiders were the Lady Magpies' first opponents of the 2022/23 season back in August when Becky Langley's side won 4-1 away from home, and her side produced an even more impressive performance this time out against the team from the North West.

A hat-trick from number nine Katie Barker, braces for Ellie Dobson and Kacie Elson, and further goals from Charlotte Potts and Lauren Robson guaranteed United all three points, as Langley's team drew a clear line in the sand ahead of their league rivals at the end of the calendar year.

The hosts came flying of out the blocks at the start of the match, with Georgia Gibson's pinpoint corner finding Emma Wallis, but the defender's header went just wide.

United continued to press, but Merseyrail remained stern at the back. With 15 minutes on the clock, Dobson had a good chance to open the scoring, but goalkeeper Jess Carberry was equal to it.

Carberry was forced into action once more, just minutes later, saving from Newcastle striker Barker after the number nine had won the ball on the edge of the visitors' box.

The Lady Magpies were rewarded for their first-half pressure just after the half-hour mark when Dobson got on the end of another Gibson corner to head home.

Shortly after taking the lead, United had an opportunity to make it two, but Gibson saw her effort saved by Carberry after being unleashed one-on-one.

But despite the visitors' initial resilience, Newcastle did double the lead on 40 minutes. Elson, who had been found superbly by Potts' through ball, cut inside from the left and drove the ball high into the back of the net.

Gibson's corners caused all sorts of problems for the Merseyrail defence in the first half, and were the source of Newcastle's third goal, on the stroke of half time.

Another superb delivery from the United number ten found the head of Wallis, and the defender's downward header was met by Elson to get her second - and Newcastle's third - of the match.

The Lady Magpies started the second half with the same vigour as the first, and after just five minutes of the restart, Dobson pounced on a loose ball inside the box to hammer the ball home and make it 4-0.

The waves of attack continued, and after Gibson's curling effort was headed onto the post by a Merseyrail defender, Barker's follow-up was scrambled clear off the line.

And it wasn't long before Newcastle made it five, with Potts heading in from a superb cross.

On the hour mark, Gibson went agonisingly close to making it 6-0, but the number ten saw her powerful free kick cannon back off the crossbar.

With 64 minutes on the clock, Barker got in on the act, finishing superbly after being unleashed through on goal by the impressive Gibson.

Just four minutes later, Barker had her second, emphatically finishing beyond Carberry from just inside the box.

Newcastle continued to press for more goals as the match entered the closing stages, and Barker saw an effort tipped around the post just moments before Robson's half-volley flew just inches over the bar.

But Robson did get on the scoresheet, reacting well inside the box to tap home with just six minutes to go.

The winger turned provider one minute later, crossing low from the right for Barker, who completed her hat-trick to make it 9-0.

The win moves Newcastle up to second in the league at the end of 2022, just one point below local rivals Durham Cestria.

Langley's charges are next in action away to Stockport County Ladies on Sunday, 8th January, and with a short break between matches to come, they certainly gave the home supporters an early Christmas present with the emphatic win over Merseyrail.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly; Daisy Burt, Emma Wallis, Potts, Keira Skelton; Ellie Dobson (Becky Ferguson 73), Gillian Oyos (Jane Harland 58); Kacie Elson (Georgina Spraggon 83), Georgia Gibson (Lois Greenslade 83), Millie Bell (Lauren Robson 58); Katie Barker.