Newcastle United Women faced off against WSL side Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. The game provided a valuable opportunity for Newcastle to assess their strength against top-level competition.
Newcastle United Women were in FA Cup action on Sunday, making the trip to the VBS Community Stadium to face WSL side Crystal Palace . A place in the quarter-finals was at stake in this exciting matchup. The Newcastle fans were situated behind the goal at the Collingwood Road End, while most of the home support were in the Main Stand and surrounding terracing.
Palace, promoted from the Championship last season, have struggled in the top flight this year, but recent January transfer signings have seen them become more competitive. This game provided Newcastle with an opportunity to test themselves against top-level opposition, as the club aspires to reach that level in the not-too-distant future. During the week leading up to the match, recent signing Freya Gregory received her first senior call-up for Scotland, joining the squad for the Nations League games against Austria and the Netherlands later this month. Shania Hayles was nominated for the January Barclays Women's Championship Goal of the Month award for her strike against Portsmouth a couple of weeks prior. Manager Becky Langley's team selection was somewhat influenced by an ever-growing injury list and ineligible players. A 4-2-4 formation with two central strikers saw Shania Hayles and Emily Murphy start, with Amy Andrews playing down the right and Beth Lumsden on the left. Deanna Cooper returned to the starting XI after being forced off early in the previous three games due to injuries. Freya Gregory and Charlotte Wardlaw were cup-tied, and Isabel Sibley couldn't play against her parent club, leading to their absence. Notably, there were numerous connections between the two clubs, with Paige Bayley-Gayle, Lia Cataldo, Amber-Keegan Stobbs, Poppy Pritchard, and Sibley having played for both Newcastle and Palace in recent seasons.The first half saw a bright start from United, winning a series of corners from their positive attacking play. The best chance came when Lois Joel delivered a cross from the left, finding Cooper, but Palace goalie Milla-Maj Majasaari claimed her header. Palace, less accustomed to having possession against top WSL teams, while Newcastle were the opposite - often taking the game to their opponents in the Championship. This led Palace to adopt a defensive strategy for much of the first half, allowing Newcastle to dominate possession. While Palace's main striker Katie Stengle was the most lively player going forward, running well and delivering crosses into the box when they ventured forward. She linked up effectively with Indiah-Paige Riley down the right, controlling a ball brilliantly early on, but her shot went wide. Mille Geji also caused Newcastle problems when she tried to slide Annabel Blanchard through on goal, but United goalie Claudia Moan was quick to gather the loose ball. The rest of the half belonged to Newcastle. Joel and Andrews combined down the right, creating a cross for Lumsden, whose header was blocked before Majasaari collected. Hayles then received a good opportunity but held onto the ball too long before releasing the shot, allowing Palace defender Katrine Veje to block for a corner. Further chances saw Joel's short free-kick find Murphy, who crossed to Hayles at the back post, but the striker fired over. Demi Stokes' floated cross found Andrews, but her spinning volley went wide. Newcastle ended the half with Lumsden cutting in from the left but unable to shoot, leaving the ball for Andrews, who curled a left-footed effort towards goal, but Majasaari was not troubled.The second half began with another injury scare for Newcastle. Goalie Claudia Moan received lengthy treatment after a collision with Lexi Potter, but thankfully she was able to continue. Palace took over in the second half, with Moan making crucial saves. She stopped a good chance from Stengel after she got behind the Newcastle backline and dealt with Lily Woodham's powerful shot from the edge of the area. Palace midfielder Annabel Blanchard was controlling the game, having hit the inside of the post before half-time and then sending Stengel through on goal, forcing Moan into a massive save from close range.
FA CUP Newcastle United Women Crystal Palace WSL Manager Becky Langley Claudia Moan Katie Stengle
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