Durham Women ended a tough season on a high with a win over local rivals Newcastle United.
Amber Stobbs scored the only goal of the game shortly before half-time to secure all three points.
Durham took the first chance, with Mariana Speckmaier sending a long ball through to Hannah Blake, who took a touch too many before getting her shot away.
Newcastle then grew into the game, dominating possession and setting the tempo.
Around the midway point of the half, Catriona Sheppard was called into action as she punched the ball clear from a Newcastle free-kick.
Durham also had their chances; just under twenty minutes in, Beth Hepple delivered a free-kick into the penalty area, but Michaela Forster’s header was cleared by the hosts. Shortly afterwards, Durham won another free-kick, once again taken by Hepple from the right, but Newcastle managed to clear it.
On the half-hour mark, Sheppard kept Durham in the game with a save after a strong effort from Morgan Gautrat.
The breakthrough came five minutes before the break. Michaela Forster’s long ball split the Newcastle defence and found Stobbs, who calmly lifted the ball over Anna Tamminen to give Durham the lead.
Newcastle nearly responded immediately, but Sheppard held onto Emily Murphy’s effort to preserve the advantage going into half-time.
The second half began with another inviting Hepple cross, but no Durham player was able to connect. The game then settled.
With 20 minutes to go, Mollie Lambert won the ball on the left and drove forward, but her shot went over the bar. Late on, Grace Collinson had a chance after a corner rebound, but Durham held firm.
