Newcastle United travelled to Merseyside to take on league leaders and recently announced Super league team Liverpool FC.
With the hosts having won 13 out of their previous 14 league games it was Newcastle who entered the game as underdogs.
It was the Toon that started the brightest on 6 minutes with a free kick being awarded for a foul on Kelly Ridley. It was Ridley that stepped up to take the kick 25 yards from goal however her kick did not trouble the Liverpool keeper. Newcastle kicking with the wind on their backs were the next team to have a shot of any note when a Steph Ord volley from 20 yards had the home keeper scurrying across her goal only for the ball to drop just over the bar and onto the top of the net.
As the half progressed Liverpool tried to get their game going but some good defending from Newcastle kept them at bay. The reds had a couple of corners and that is where they looked the most dangerous.
On 29 minutes the Toon again tested the home keeper when following some good play by Dannika Purdham and Steph Eadon saw the ball played to Jane Latif who shot with her left foot straight at Williams in the Pool goal.
On 37 minutes Ridley was given another chance from 25 yards after a foul on Linsday McCubbin. Ridley kept her kick under the bar this time but Williams was able to claim with no trouble.
Liverpool started the second period looking to get an early goal and had double chance on 51 minutes when a free kick was awarded for a McCubbin high boot. From the resultant free kick Liverpool caused the first signs of panic in the visiting defence when the ball bobbled around before Laura Wareham had to be equal to a pin point shot.
On 65 minutes in was the Magpies turn for a goalmouth scramble. An in swinging Ridley corner from the left saw Rae Taylor rise to head the ball back across the box the ball went across the line and through a host of players with both teams trying to get a vital touch on the ball it was Sarah Wilson who got a shot in but her shot was blocked and Newcastle forced another corner which was cleared.
Ridley sent a crashing shot just wide of the upright as the game swung from end to end. Wareham was forced to pull off a low diving save to keep her team in the game when Kelly Jones shot had her at full stretch inside the last ten minutes.
The best chance for the Magpies came on 82 minutes when a surging forward run from Ruth Sutcliffe saw her run the ball from deep in the Liverpool half she rounded the full back and dug out a driven cross from near the corner flag. Her pinpoint cross found Purdham unmarked in the centre but from 8 yards the youngster sent her header agonisingly wide of the post.
Newcastle did have the ball in the net after this as a through ball sent Steph Eadon clear and as she tussled with the defender she managed to get her shot away which found the net but unfortunately for the visitors the whistle had gone after Eadon was harshly adjudged to have fouled the home defender.
Neil Baistow NUWFC Manager “We have played well today and are delighted to take a point from the league leaders. However on the balance of play over the 90 minutes were probably did enough to win. The players showed a tremendous amount of character and have showed on their day they are a match for anyone in the league. We have now set the standard of performance for the remaining 3 games. “
Photograph shows Dannika Purdham (Front) and Jane Latif (back) who both went close to opening their goalscoring accounts against Liverpool.
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