United Women 5 Newcastle 3
Manchester United Women have ensured progression to the quarter-finals of the League Cup after beating Newcastle 5-3 in our final group game.
The Magpies proved to be a tough test for Marc Skinner's side as they came from behind twice to level things up and give United a scare.
Deanna Cooper's strike cancelled out our ninth minute opener and, after Emma Watson restored our lead, Amy Andrews equalised just after half-time.
A poacher's goal from Rachel Williams restored the Reds' lead before Gabby George and Elisabeth Terland added to the scoreline to take the game beyond Newcastle. Lois Joel bagged a late third for the Magpies but it was United who took the three points and marched into the quarter-finals.
Deanna Cooper's strike cancelled out our ninth minute opener and, after Emma Watson restored our lead, Amy Andrews equalised just after half-time.
A poacher's goal from Rachel Williams restored the Reds' lead before Gabby George and Elisabeth Terland added to the scoreline to take the game beyond Newcastle. Lois Joel bagged a late third for the Magpies but it was United who took the three points and marched into the quarter-finals.
Into the quarters
GalleryFlick through our gallery after United beat Newcastle 5-3 in the Women's League Cup.
FIRST HALF
United were dominant in the opening five minutes and the visitors barely got out of their own half, but defended well. There were a couple of early chances for Melvine Malard and Watson but neither Red could broke the deadlock.
With less than ten minutes on the clock, our early pressure paid off as a lovely corner floated in by Maya Le Tissier was turned into her own net by Newcastle's Lia Cataldo.
Though Skinner's team had our noses in front, it wouldn't stay that way for long as the visitors put pressure on Safia Middleton-Patel - who was making her debut for the Reds. Though she handled it well, there was no stopping Cooper's shot as it nestled in the bottom corner.
United were dominant in the opening five minutes and the visitors barely got out of their own half, but defended well. There were a couple of early chances for Melvine Malard and Watson but neither Red could broke the deadlock.
With less than ten minutes on the clock, our early pressure paid off as a lovely corner floated in by Maya Le Tissier was turned into her own net by Newcastle's Lia Cataldo.
Though Skinner's team had our noses in front, it wouldn't stay that way for long as the visitors put pressure on Safia Middleton-Patel - who was making her debut for the Reds. Though she handled it well, there was no stopping Cooper's shot as it nestled in the bottom corner.
United settled their nerves and found our rhythm again. We pinched the ball back high up the pitch and Le Tissier fed it through to Watson. She found herself one-on-one with the keeper and slotted it past Moan for her first-ever Reds goal.
The crowd thought United had found the net again not long after, as Sandberg's cross was deflected and looked to be sneaking in. Moan punched it away only to find Williams who slotted it the wrong side of the post.
There would be further chances for Geyse and Malard before the half was over but we headed in at the break with the lead.
The crowd thought United had found the net again not long after, as Sandberg's cross was deflected and looked to be sneaking in. Moan punched it away only to find Williams who slotted it the wrong side of the post.
There would be further chances for Geyse and Malard before the half was over but we headed in at the break with the lead.
SECOND HALF
The visitors had an explosive start to the second half as just two minutes in, substitute George couldn't quite get the ball under control and Andrews found a way through our defence. She still had work to do though and it was a good finish from the Newcastle striker.
It was one way traffic after the Magpies equalised, though, as United piled on the pressure.
With Newcastle down to 10, as one of their players received treatment, we saw an opportunity and took it. Substitute Grace Clinton rounded the keeper but her shot from a tight angle was cleared off the line. However, it was only cleared as far as Williams who tapped it in from close range.
The visitors had an explosive start to the second half as just two minutes in, substitute George couldn't quite get the ball under control and Andrews found a way through our defence. She still had work to do though and it was a good finish from the Newcastle striker.
It was one way traffic after the Magpies equalised, though, as United piled on the pressure.
With Newcastle down to 10, as one of their players received treatment, we saw an opportunity and took it. Substitute Grace Clinton rounded the keeper but her shot from a tight angle was cleared off the line. However, it was only cleared as far as Williams who tapped it in from close range.
A free-kick in a dangerous area provided the perfect opportunity as Anna Sandberg's delivery was headed in by George with less than ten minutes on the clock, extending our lead to two goals.
As we entered the dying stages of the game, Newcastle were tiring, leading to mistakes the Reds could capitalise on. As Leah Galton fizzed the ball low across the box, substitute Terland was unmarked in the centre to toe-poke it past the visitor's shot-stopper.
The game was out of reach for Newcastle but, as the game ticked over into five minutes of injury time, a good finish from Joel gave them some consolation.
Three wins from three in the group stages of this competition ensure we are in the hat for the quarter-finals, with the draw set to take place the week commencing the 16 December.
As we entered the dying stages of the game, Newcastle were tiring, leading to mistakes the Reds could capitalise on. As Leah Galton fizzed the ball low across the box, substitute Terland was unmarked in the centre to toe-poke it past the visitor's shot-stopper.
The game was out of reach for Newcastle but, as the game ticked over into five minutes of injury time, a good finish from Joel gave them some consolation.
Three wins from three in the group stages of this competition ensure we are in the hat for the quarter-finals, with the draw set to take place the week commencing the 16 December.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Middleton-Patel; Sandberg, Janssen (George 45), Turner, Le Tissier; Watson (Galton 68), Ladd, Awujo (Miyazawa 68), Malard, Geyse (Clinton 45), Williams (Terland 68)
Unused substitutes: Tullis-Joyce, Griffiths, Newell, Simpson
Goals: Cataldo (OG) 9, Watson 20, Williams 67, George 83, Terland 88
Newcastle: Moan; Catalto (Hailes 73), Cooper (Watt 73), Greenwood, Stokes; Stobbs, Kelly (Joel 55); Sibley (Elson 68), McQuade, Barker; Andrews (Lumsden 73)
Unused substitutes: Donnelly, Gibson, Elson, Hawkins, Baker
Goals: Cooper 14, Andrews 47, Joel 90+3
United: Middleton-Patel; Sandberg, Janssen (George 45), Turner, Le Tissier; Watson (Galton 68), Ladd, Awujo (Miyazawa 68), Malard, Geyse (Clinton 45), Williams (Terland 68)
Unused substitutes: Tullis-Joyce, Griffiths, Newell, Simpson
Goals: Cataldo (OG) 9, Watson 20, Williams 67, George 83, Terland 88
Newcastle: Moan; Catalto (Hailes 73), Cooper (Watt 73), Greenwood, Stokes; Stobbs, Kelly (Joel 55); Sibley (Elson 68), McQuade, Barker; Andrews (Lumsden 73)
Unused substitutes: Donnelly, Gibson, Elson, Hawkins, Baker
Goals: Cooper 14, Andrews 47, Joel 90+3
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