Norton narrowly beaten by professional Newcastle
Match Report: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies vs Newcastle United Women
Norton welcomed Newcastle United to Station Road in what was going to be the toughest fixture of the pre-season programme.
Newcastle won the National League Division One North last season, during which they beat Norton 1-0 at Station Road and 4-0 at Kingston Park. Since then they have become a fully professional outfit and strengthened their side further, bringing in players from higher leagues and from all over the country.
Norton, currently unbeaten during pre-season, had Caitlin Jones, Jordan Moore, Jess Robinson and the returning Anna Mawston all featuring for the first time this summer, but were without key players from last season’s side including Erin Boyle, Estelle Clark, Sophie Hodgson, Sophie Tierney, Katie Pierce, Chloe West, Ash Coyle and Heather Johnson, so it was sure to be a tough test.
As expected, Newcastle dominated the early possession and Norton set about defending deep and keeping their shape with a plan to hit Newcastle on the counter attack whenever they could. Newcastle won a couple of early corners and they delivered two dangerous crosses that were both headed wide.
After the early pressure, Norton’s disciplined midfield of Brooke Slater, Louise Atkinson and stand-in midfielder Katie Ormerod were working nonstop to keep up with the three impressive centre midfielders of Newcastle, and were doing an excellent job. Newcastle continued to pin Norton back but were struggling to get through a solid back five of Izzy McEwen, Vicki Burton, Georgia Rae, Kate McGuire and Jordan Moore so they resorted to shooting from distance but to no avail.
On the 20 minute mark Katie Ormerod picked up the ball and drove at the Newcastle defence. The full back brought her down and Norton had a free kick on the edge of the area. Ormerod stepped up but her shot went wide of the target. Newcastle went close on 23 minutes when they had a headed shot deflected wide by Rae. Minutes later they went closer still when another long range shot crashed against the post. Norton continued to frustrate their higher league opposition and Mawston and Myers were doing all they could to take the pressure off the home team but Newcastle continued the onslaught with plenty of shots from outside the area but the majority sailed over and wide and any that hit the target were dealt with by Chisnall in the Norton goal.
Half Time: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies 0-0 Newcastle United Women
Norton were pleased to be on level terms at half time, even more so with a clean sheet, but knew the fitness levels would tell as their professional counterparts looked to capitalise in the second half. Norton made one change with Kelsie Moore replacing Rachel Chisnall in goal. Moore was quickly called into action with a save from a long distance shot.
On 55 minutes Norton then had the best chance of the game; Katie Ormerod’s delightful though ball sent Maddie Myers racing clear with only the ‘keeper to beat. The Newcastle ‘keeper did well and came out to deny a goal at the feet of Myers. Norton made their first outfield substitution on 60 minutes with Jess Robinson replacing a tired Anna Mawston. Robinson moved into centre midfield and Katie Ormerod played off Maddie Myers a bit higher up the pitch.
Newcastle continued to bombard the Norton goal and only some excellent blocks from Rae, Burton and Slater denied the shot count going up. Norton made another change with Caitlin Jones replacing Jordan Moore, which saw Izzy McEwen move to left full back and Jones occupied to right. Another ball into the Norton penalty area found the Newcastle winger who first time strike forced Moore into a brilliant save. Newcastle went close again when another shot from distance hit the crossbar.
Norton had now held the professional outfit for 75 minutes and players were tiring but remarkably still matching the visitors, but a minute later a superb cross to the far post was met with a header from the Newcastle substitute and the quality of the header, which was sent back across the goal, gave Kelsie Moore no chance to keep it out.
With spectators expecting Newcastle to grab more goals in the later stages, Norton stood firm. An injury to Kate McGuire saw 16-year old Ella Place come on for only her second game in senior football.
In the 91st minute Norton still had the belief they could get an equaliser and Katie Ormerod nipped in on a short back pass but her ball across the area evaded everyone and Newcastle came away with the win.
Full Time: Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies 0-1 Newcastle United Women
Player of the Match: Brooke Slater
Norton Team: Rachel Chisnall (K Moore 45), Izzy McEwen, Georgia Rae, Vicki Burton, Kate McGuire (Place 78), Jordan Moore (Jones 71), Louise Atkinson, Brooke Slater, Katie Ormerod, Maddie Myers, Anna Mawston (Robinson 60).
Subs: Kelsie Moore, Jess Robinson, Caitlin Jones, Ella Place