Newcastle Women earn derby day bragging rights with Stadium of Light win over Sunderland Women

A big win in enemy territory for Newcastle Women

The north east bragging rights belong to Newcastle United Women after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sunderland Women at the Stadium of Light. Becky Langley's side, in the second tier for the first time after back to back promotions, pulled off the momentous win over their closest rivals courtesy of two Beth Lumsden goals either side of the interval.

A record 14,000 tickets had been sold in the days leading up to the Wearside clash for what was being billed as the 'biggest women's game in north east history'. The win, Newcastle's third of the season is a remarkable achievement given the stature of Sunderland in the women's game.

Lumsden opened the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark, cutting inside the area before rifling a shot beyond Demi Lambourne. The Newcastle midfielder wasted little time in the second period, scoring directly from a corner with an in-swinging, left-footed effort just moments after the break.

Sunderland pulled one back in the 78th minute via an Emily Scarr finish - and the home side had chances to level the tie late on, with Jenna Scarr spurning the best of them.

Former Black Cats stopper Claudia Moan was busy in the early stages, saving efforts from Katie Kitching and Eleanor Dale. Newcastle too had their own chances to extend the margin of victory but Lambourne kept Shania Hayles and Demi Stokes out at crucial moments in the tie.

The win means Newcastle sit sixth in the second tier, taking an impressive 10 points from their opening five fixtures. Sunderland have dropped to ninth, earning four points from the same amount of games.

Langley's side are aiming to be 'unapologetically ambitious' despite the fact the black and whites face an incredibly tough task earning a third straight promotion. Sunday's win against seasoned opposition shows just how far Newcastle have come in such a short space of time.

"It's fantastic for north-east women's football," Langley said of the derby before kick-off. "It's an important game for the football club and one I'm really proud to prepare the team for."