Rachel Lee, Katie Barker, Kacie Elson and Georgia Gibson scored the goals as United continued their fine run of form to dispatch Norton with ease in front of waves of loyal supporters.

A mere two minutes after the beginning of the clash, Newcastle were awarded a penalty after Elson was taken down by Ash Coyle just inside the area. Lee stepped up and slotted the spot-kick into the bottom corner, giving the Magpies an early lead.

The visitors responded to going behind, and almost drew level when Shannon Reed tested Grace Donnelly for the first time.

Fifteen minutes into the clash Erin Nelson - making her first start since before Christmas - forced Kelsie Moore into a smart save from distance, following Gibson's clever flick-on.

Nelson was involved in United's next action too, taking on two defenders before being taken down outside the box. Gibson fired the resulting free-kick over the bar, but the signs were evident that Newcastle were not content with just the one-goal lead.

As the first half went on, Langley's side continued to search for a second, with Lee going close from distance before Barker attempted an acrobatic effort which flew narrowly wide.

Both Nelson and Gibson again looked to carve open Norton, with the former flashing a fierce delivery across the face of goal before the latter saw a low drive saved just minutes later.

Freya Bailes, Elson and Barker all threatened for the hosts on the stroke of half-time but the sides went in at the break with United's lead still just one goal.

But moments after the restart, Barker got the crucial second that Newcastle desired, latching onto a forward ball before caressing the ball into the bottom corner with her left foot.

Two almost became three within a matter of minutes, with Gibson firing towards goal after good link-up play from Nelson and Lee, but the number ten saw another shot thwarted by Moore.

But with 56 minutes on the clock, the Magpies extended their lead once more - and what a goal it was.

Elson, who has been in tremendous form this term, jinked inside and out before breaking into the area and hammering an unstoppable rocket in off the underside of the crossbar.

Just after the hour, United went close again, but Beth Guy's effort was turned away by Moore.

But it wasn't long at all before the hosts had a fourth. Substitute Charlyann Pizzarello expertly beat her marker before finding Gibson, who turned two defenders and finished superbly.

Another substitute, Cara Milne-Redhead, was the next to try her luck for Langley's side, cannoning a dipping effort off the woodwork from 25 yards out.

The Magpies saw out the rest of the match, with Norton barely having a look in. It was a confident, dominant performance from the hosts, and a statement win going into a week where they don't have a fixture.

The next match for Langley's side is an away trip to Barnsley Women on 2nd April at 2pm (BST), just two weeks before they return to St. James' Park to take on Bradford City Women. Book your tickets for the St. James' Park fixture here.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly (c), Daisy Burt (Millie Bell 81), Freya Bailes, Charlotte Potts, Keira Skelton, Rachel Lee (Milne-Redhead 70), Beth Guy, Erin Nelson (Anna Soulsby 59), Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson (Charlyann Pizzarello 61), Katie Barker (Becky Ferguson 81)

Subs not used: None

Report by Joseph Nelson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC