Newcastle super sub gets last laugh at Stadium of Light as Sunderland take fresh scoreboard swipe
In a fiercely contested Wear-Tyne derby, Newcastle had to rely on a late equaliser to snatch a point
Newcastle United women battled back to earn a point in the Wear-Tyne derby thanks to super sub Oona Sevenius.
However, the 1-1 draw put a dent in the Lasses' chances of promotion on a day in which Crystal Palace won 3-2 to put a three-point gap between themselves and Newcastle with three matches remaining of the Barclays Women's Super League 2 season.
Promotion to the Super League would hand Newcastle as a club a major PSR boost with greater prize money and bigger crowds, but hopes of a play-off place look set to go down to the wire.
This clash was played in typical North-East spirit with the home side refusing to post Newcastle's name on the Stadium of Light scoreboard with the Magpies simply named "Visitors".
Newcastle had the first real sight of goal when Jemma Purfield's header from a Freya Gregory corner flew wide of the target after five minutes. But the Wearsiders took the lead on 17 minutes after a Newcastle move broke down and the home side built from the back.
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Marissa Sheva's floated cross from the left was hit first time by Katy Watson near the six-yard box with Anna Tamminen not quick enough to react as the ball bounced past her low down.
The game then became scrappy for both sides, although Newcastle began edging their way back into the contest towards half-time and forced a succession of corners. Molly Pike's inswinger sailed past the upright but it wasn't close to being an Olimpico!
Sunderland were ahead at the break with Watson's goal the difference between the sides. Newcastle made a change for the second half when bringing on Australia international Kaitlyn Torpey on for the second half as she replaced Charlotte Wardlaw.
At the start of the second half, Shania Hayles tried to capitalise on a defensive error, but Sunderland stayed in control. Sunderland stewards were put on red alert at the start of the second half as a lively section of the home crowd attempted to step into the away section but the security staff too swift action to move them back.
Newcastle brought on Finland international Oona Sevenius and Beth Lumsden as the game moved into the 67th minute on Wearside. Lumsden hooked the ball forward on 72 minutes to give Pike a sight of goal but she fired over.
Moments later, Sunderland stopper Demi Lambourne was booked for time wasting. Murphy had the ball in the net after a tap-in with 15 minutes left, but it was ruled out for an offside after Lumsden's shot had been kept out.
But it did not take long for the equaliser to arrive as Jordan Nobbs carved Sunderland open with a cross before substitute Sevenius turned and slammed the ball in the bottom corner with nine minutes left.
Newcastle introduced Morgan Gautrat to replace Emma Kelly for the closing stages. Sunderland had a couple of late chances to win it but United weathered the storm.
However, despite both teams fighting tooth and nail for the derby day honours, it ended all square.
Attendance: 10,156 (1,500 Newcastle fans).
Referee: Abigail Byrne
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