Newcastle United Women's team made history at St James' Park as they hosted Alnwick Town Ladies in the FA Women's National League.
In front of watching co-owner Amanda Staveley and first-team head coach Eddie Howe, the Lady Mags were roared on by more than 22,000 fans and they served up an entertaining performance for the holiday crowd. But Alnwick put up a battling display in the first half hour.
The opening 10 minutes saw Alnwick goalie Katy Stark deal with some heavy traffic in the box and make some important claims to ease the nerves of her team-mates. United's Georgia Gibson then fired wide of the target with 11 minutes gone.
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Moments later, Gibson struck a low shot at Stark but she gathered well as Becky Langley's Newcastle continued to look for the opening goal. Alnwick tested United keeper Grace Donnelly when Catherine Johnston's effort was fired straight at her.
But the roof was raised when Kacie Elson and Stark went into a challenge together before the ball broke loose for number 9 Katie Barker to roll it into the unguarded net.
It was 2-0 on 34 minutes after Kacie Elson was brought down in the box and referee Melissa Cairns pointed straight to the spot. Skipper Brooke Cochrane stepped up and duly converted to double the lead and send the crowd wild a second time.
That's how it stayed until half-time but the Lady Mags extended the lead when Gibson picked the ball up near the edge of the box before rolling it home to make it 3-0 just after the break.
It was 4-0 on the hour mark after United won another penalty after a late challenge in the box. The twice taken spot-kick, initially saved by Stark, was converted at the second attempt. Beth Guy found the left-hand corner of the net with Stark unfortunate not to get a touch after guessing the right way.
Newcastle searched for more goals but Alnwick stuck to their task and did not throw the towel in on what was also a massive occasion for Peter Hately's side. Johnston latched on to a long pass in stoppage time but her shot was just over The two teams took part in a lap of appreciation on a positive day for the women's game and Newcastle United.
Attendance: 22,134
Referee: Melissa Cairns
Assistant referees: Victoria Davison & Rosie Stonehouse
UNITED: Donnelly, Cochrane, Guy, Watt, Packham, Wilkinson, Barker, Gibson, Elson, Skelton, Nelson.
Subs: Harland, Robson, Missen, Ferguson, Spraggon.
Alnwick: Stark, Tang, Armstrong, Latto, Stewart, Johnston, Henderson, Bowman, Brooks, Ellwood, Williams.
Subs: Robinson, Sprot, Morrison, Grisdale, Belisle.
