Women’s Football Notebook: North East sides strengthen for second half of the season
Simone Charley has joined Newcastle United (Image: NWSL via Getty Images)
After a mix of results for our teams last weekend, the WSL2 table is back to its tight, congested self and that could continue this week.
Sunderland welcome Sheffield United to the Stadium of Light on Friday night, two points and two places ahead but with a game in hand.
The home side will want to bounce back quickly after the defeat at Bristol, and what better way than in front of a bumper crowd under the lights.
Sheffield United have enjoyed their visits to the North East so far this season, undefeated in three in all competitions and will include former Durham and Newcastle striker Amy Andrews who always enjoys playing up here.
Caragh Hamilton has signed for Sunderland(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Mel Reay may well include new loan signings Caragh Hamilton, the. Northern Irish international right-back from Nottingham Forest, and young Welsh international winger, Mared Griffiths, from Manchester United. Both signed this week as the transfer window closed.
Newcastle continued to bring players in right up to the last few hours of the window; American forward Simone Charley being the latest recruit to Tanya Oxtoby’s squad, joining until the end of the season.
Having lost at leaders Charlton, last weekend, she takes her team on the long trip to Southampton who beat Crystal Palace at home last weekend. Only one point separates the two teams but Newcastle have a game in-hand, positioned in sixth.
Dee Bradley has rejoined Durham on loan(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Durham possibly face the toughest fixture of the three, at least on paper, when Birmingham City travel to Maiden Castle on Sunday. The visitors challenging for the top spot.
The Blues were busy in the market themselves bringing back fan-favourite Dee Bradley on-loan from Burnley and her fellow Irish international, the experienced midfielder, Lily Agg.
Dee will settle quickly into familiar surroundings; Lily has a week before her first possible fixture away at Charlton, as she can’t face her parent club.
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