Durham fell to a derby day defeat against Newcastle in the Subway Players Cup.
Off of the momentum of two late goals away at Watford last Sunday, Durham came out raring and ready to go against WSL 2 league toppers Newcastle – Jade Pennock with the first shot of the game two minutes in which flew over.
There wasn’t to be too much of a wait for the first goal of the game, however, as Lucy Watson’s corner found its way into the net at the near post on 14 minutes, as keeper Kayla Rendell couldn’t keep her hands on it.
Newcastle’s Beth Lumsden had a curled effort go just wide at the 20th minute, Kathleen McGovern next just failing to get on the end of Lumsden’s cross, but it was at the 26th minute that Martha Thomas was let loose on the ball to go through and calmly roll it into the net to level the scores.
There were shouts for a possible Durham penalty following a foul on Morran in the box as she was about to head for goal, but they went unanswered.
Another chance came for the Wildcats as Watson’s 35th minute corner was cleared but put back into play by Grace Ede and just flicked wide by Sarah Wilson at the far post.
Yet it was the threatening Lumsden who made it 2-1 to Newcastle, curling the ball into the net as it flew in off the post 37 minutes in.
The end of the half did see pressure put on by Durham, a failed Newcastle clearance allowing Ede a left-footed effort which she lifted just over the bar.
The second half opened on a dimmer note as the 50th minute saw Thomas grab her second goal of the game to make it 3-1 to the Magpies.
Watson then came close for Durham, nicking possession in Newcastle’s half, but had her shot caught by Rendell.
But it wasn’t too long until Newcastle struck again, with Lumsden hammering in her second and the team’s fourth from the edge of the box on 57 minutes.
Defensively, Durham continued to put up a fight, notably Wilson putting her body on the line to block a flying ball towards the net, deflecting it with her head, but it was another Newcastle set piece on the 76th minute that proved too much, as Katie Bradley’s corner was accidentally turned into the top of the net by a Durham defender.
Both teams had their chances, Durham battling on for the rest of the match, but it just wasn’t to be as the derby day ended in a 5-1 defeat.
By Myrna Goodger
