Greenwood: 'We've got a really good project going on'

That joy has only increased since the season commenced, with United going nine matches unbeaten in all competitions at the start of 2023/24.

Sunday's 3-0 triumph over last season's FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division champions Nottingham Forest Women in the FAWNL Cup was the latest impressive win for United, as Langley's team continue to lay down markers to their competitors in tier three.

Greenwood believes that such results breed further confidence within the Magpies' squad, ahead of what continues to be a competitive campaign on all fronts.

"You want to test yourselves against the best teams," she said. "It's really good that we have come out on top.

"We have played Burnley twice now (too) and both have been tough but we have had really strong performances as well.

"It stands us in good stead. We can take that confidence forward and keep trying to build because the rest of the season is just going to get tougher and tougher."

A positive environment is one of the hallmarks of Langley's Newcastle team, with players often socialising away from the training pitch.

Greenwood, who was one of eight new faces at the club in the summer, believes such emphasis on spending quality time with team-mates only aids performances - and certainly helped her settle in the black and white stripes.

"It's definitely important (to have that environment)," she said. "It is a big part of building a strong, winning team.

"We all get along really well. Everybody mixes with each other and we all have a good laugh, whether at training or on dog walks.

"It's a really nice atmosphere and it helps us really push on, on the pitch and in training.

"(I have) settled into the team nicely and all the girls are really class. And the football side of things has been great too and it seems like we've got a really good project going on."

Next up for United is a home clash against Stourbridge Women on Sunday, 5th November.

Greenwood hopes that she and her teammates can continue on the upward trajectory they are currently on and, with it being bonfire night, sparkle in front of their supporters once more.

"We keep working and keep trying to improve," she added.

"It's going to be a tough game. Teams are going to want to come to us and test themselves and teams are always wanting to maybe knock us down a peg - in their eyes.

"But you can never walk into a game thinking it is going to be easy. That's the nature of this league.

"We want to just keep pushing ourselves more than anything; keep having good performances and keep trying to improve."

COME AND SUPPORT THE LASSES

The Magpies return to Kingston Park this Sunday, hosting Stourbridge Women. Tickets are on sale here, priced at £5 for adults and £1 for concessions.

Supporters who can't make the match will be able to watch for free on NUFC TV, while the game will also be streamed live on Newcastle United's official YouTube channel.

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock