Beth Lumsden’s brace was enough to hand Newcastle United the Tyne-Wear derby spoils with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland at The Stadium of Light.
The winger scored a goal in each half before Emily Scarr’s consolation gave the majority of a record Barclays Women’s Championship crowd of 15,387 something to cheer.
The hosts had the better of the early stages, pouring forward and creating a great chance within two minutes. Mary McAteer rounded Claudia Moan on the left of the box, but the keeper recovered to make the block.
At the other end, set-pieces were proving to be a threat. Lumsden twice sent deliveries in from the right and found Rachel Furness, but the former Northern Irish international headed off target on both occasions.
Lumsden then took it upon herself to break the deadlock after 28 minutes. She picked up the ball on the left, beat the opposing defender, and fired high past Demi Lambourne into the net.
Moan was called into action again five minutes later to preserve the lead, blocking Eleanor Dale’s effort from a tight angle.
The second goal came four minutes after the break, and it was Lumsden again. This time, her right-wing corner floated over everyone and into the net. Despite Sunderland protests over a foul on Lambourne, the goal was given.
Lumsden then sent Shania Hayles clear with a brilliant trivela, but the striker shot straight at Lambourne, who got down well to make the save.
The Lady Black Cats finally grabbed a lifeline in the 78th minute through Scarr, whose close-range finish looped over Moan to reduce the deficit, but they couldn’t rescue the game.
Both sides are in Barclays Women’s Championship action again next weekend. Sunderland travel to Durham while Newcastle United play host to Charlton Athletic.
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