The website dedicated to women's football across the country, at ALL levels of the game

@en

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Back to home page

Newcastle on the up

Portsmouth 1 Newcastle United 2

Newcastle United maintained their upward trajectory in Barclays WSL2 with a 2-1 away win over Portsmouth to close out the first half of the season.

The visitors created several great chances to be comfortably ahead but a fighting home display restored parity before the Lady Mags took the points late on in dramatic and unfortunate circumstances.

 

Newcastle started very brightly and it was little surprise when they took an early lead. Jordan Nobbs had already fired over the bar when well placed but did not pass up the second invitation when Demi Stokes' cross fell at her feet 12 yards out and was dispatched beyond keeper Jess Gray on 19 minutes.

 

Portsmouth certainly came more into the game in the second part of the opening half in terms of building attacks but had not managed a shot on the target before the break.

 

Shania Hayles had two big chances to double the lead but managed only to put shots wide of either post early in the second half. Newcastle were then pegged back on 63 minutes when defensive hesitancy saw Jess Gale sprint clear, go round keeper Anna Tamminen and calmly finish.

 

Just as against leaders Charlton Athletic ln their last home game, it seemed that Pompey might again defy the league standings and take a point. However a freak own goal denied them that privilege.

 

On 85 minutes a long diagonal pass aimed at Nobbs in a good position was intercepted at full stretch by Pompey skipper Jas Bull running back towards her goal. The connection sent the ball looping over Gray and into the net for the winning goal.

 

Pompey battled hard to the end but suffered a further late misfortune when Izzy Collins was given a second yellow card. They remain in eleventh place whilst Newcastle, unbeaten in six, go fourth at the winter break.

Portsmouth: Jess Gray, Jasmine Bull, Tia Primmer, Sophie Barker, Hannah Coan, Greta Humphries, Izzy Collins, Ava Rowbotham, Jesse Woolley, Jessie Gale, Meg Hornby. Subs: Angelina Nixon, Jemima Dahou, Emma Jones, Ella Rutherford, Jazmin Younger, Annie Wilding.

Newcastle United: Anna Tamminen, Charlotte Wardlaw, Demi Stokes, Jordan Nobbs, Deanna Cooper, Aoife Mannion, Lois Joel, Oona Sevenius, Shania Hayles, Molly Pike, Beth Lumsden. Subs: Emily Murphy, Freya Gregory, Elysia Boddy, Jemma Purfield, Jasmine McQuade, Claudia Moan, Amelia Freeman.