Oona Sevenius’ 81st minute strike gave Newcastle United Women a point in the Wear-Tyne Derby on Sunday, and one they richly deserved after battling back from Katy Watson’s 17th minute first half opener.
In truth, it was a game of precious few chances and a very tight, tough, tense affair throughout the 90 minutes.
A game where the vast majority of a 10,156 crowd went home believing their side could have won, but also probably believing a draw was a fair result in the end after both sets of supporters helped to create a feisty derby atmosphere.
With both the teams above them winning, Birmingham City 1-0 at Bristol City and Crystal Palace 3-2 at home against League leaders Charlton Athletic, United actually lost further ground in the promotion race. Wor Lasses now have three games to go until the end of the season.
They have to keep battling and believing that they can still perhaps sneak into that 3rd place in the table that would give them a play-off shot at the WSL’s bottom of the table side. However, it looks like an outside chance now only as the games slip by and the gap increases.
For much of the game United dominated possession without creating any clear-cut chances in the game until Sevenius’ late intervention. There’s no doubting that Newcastle are a very talented side with many good working pieces. However, their most important cog, up front needs oiling.
This was the first time in four clashes since joining the WSL2 that Wor Lasses have failed to defeat their close neighbours which will be a disappointment for all at the Club. But on the day a draw was probably a fair result although there was an element of controversy about it.
Newcastle started the game well and were unlucky not to take the lead on five minutes. Freya Gregory’s excellent in-swinging left foot corner met superbly by Jemma Purfield inside the Sunderland six-yard box. But the defenders back headed flashed inches over the bar.
Then Gregory tried her luck as an attacking threat herself. From fully 25-yards out she saw an opening and tried a long-range effort that unfortunately she did not catch clean enough and although it was on target Demi Lambourne was able to save easily.
Sunderland then took the lead on 17 minutes shortly after Eleanor Dale had just failed to get a head on a good cross from the left by Marissa Sheva the SAFC midfielder was given another chance to cross from a similar position.
This time Katy Watson stole in behind Purfield and in front of Gregory to steer a low volley at full stretch from 8-yards out past Anna Tamminen who had little chance of a save. It was slightly against the run of play but great opportunism from Watson.
Sunderland then defended stoutly and with great organisation for the remainder of the half restricting United to a couple of long-range efforts one of which from Emma Kelly was not far wide after taking a deflection.
Half-time came though with the hosts a goal to the good and United with work to do to get back to parity. They almost broke through on the resumption on 52 minutes. Shania Hayles bursting into the box and pulling the ball back for Molly Pike, but Pike’s on-target effort was blocked.
United Manager Tania Oxtoby shook things up by bringing on Sevenius and Beth Lumsden as attacking options as her team continued on the front foot to press and push forward. They were in the ascendancy territorially, but Sunderland were holding firm in the final third.
On 72 minutes Aoife Mannion lifted a clever ball over the top of the home defence which fell to Pike about 16-yards out but from a good position she shot wastefully well over the bar.
Then the moment of controversy came with 15 minutes left of the 90. Jordan Nobbs clipping a ball wide right for substitute Kaitlyn Torpey to run onto. The waltzing Matilda putting in a great cross for Lumsden to come onto. Lumsden looked to be pulled back but still got a shot in on goal.
Lambourne pushing it aside on the six-yard line and there was Emily Murphy to steer the ball into the empty waiting net. Unfortunately for Murphy and Wor Lasses the Assistant’s flag went up for offside and Sunderland escaped.
Had VAR been available it could well have been a different decision, but the referee went with her assistant’s flag and ruled the goal out. Much to United’s disappointment. They did not let it rattle them and did equalise on 81 minutes.
Lumsden dodged a couple of tackles in midfield and found Nobbs in the inside right position. Her cross into the box saw Lumsden not quite collect it. The loose ball though fell to Sevenius who swivelled beautifully and planted her 16-yard left footer past the helpless Lambourne.
United continued to press although Sunderland had the best two late chances. Firstly, from Emily Scarr’s right wing corner Jamie Finn sneaked in at the back post but could only weakly guide the ball into Tamminen’s grasp from about 4-yards out.
Then deep into injury time Claire Paxton’s long throw from deep on United’s right was flicked on by Brianna Westrup to Dale just outside the six-yard area but she could not keep her header down and the chance went begging.
When the referee called a halt to the proceedings it was a goal and a point each which was probably a fair result on the balance of the game. United dominating possession but Sunderland sticking to their defensive plan really well and always looking dangerous on the counter attack.
No doubting who was the happier manager at the full-time whistle. Sunderland’s Mel Reay positive and upbeat at the way her side managed the game and dulled United’s attacking intentions in her press conference.
Whilst United’s Oxtoby cut a very frustrated and disappointed figure in hers. Referring clearly to the disallowed goal as a pivotal moment. However, she was proud of the way her team had continued to go forward and whilst feeling they deserved all three points settled for the one.
Next up for Wor Lasses is Nottingham Forest at the GIS on Easter Sunday the 5th of April. A game they simply must win and hope that somewhere in their remaining games Crystal Palace drop points to give them an opening of at least third place.