Newcastle United Women have made a perfect start to the WSL2 season, but the numbers behind Beth Lumsden and Martha Thomas show why Tanya Oxtoby’s attack suddenly looks far more dangerous.
Three games have produced three wins and seven goals for Newcastle.
Six of those seven goals have involved Lumsden or Thomas.
That is a significant early return for a Newcastle side that often struggled to turn control into comfortable scorelines last season.
Newcastle’s official website says the pair have been directly involved in six of the club’s seven league goals, with United currently the highest-scoring team in WSL2. Newcastle United: Lumsden loving life as Magpies march on
Lumsden and Thomas deliver against Sheffield United
Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Sheffield United offered the clearest example yet.
Lumsden opened the scoring on her 50th league appearance for Newcastle before Thomas struck twice after half-time.
Thomas’ first arrived just seconds after the restart.
Lumsden was then directly involved in Newcastle’s fourth, producing excellent work through midfield before supplying Thomas for her second.
Our report on Newcastle Women’s perfect WSL2 start detailed how those goals helped Oxtoby’s side move onto nine points from nine. ReadNewcastle: Newcastle Women make perfect WSL2 start
The difference this season is not simply that Newcastle are winning.
They are beginning to put opponents away.
Newcastle attack showing major improvement
That was not always the case last term.
Newcastle’s official analysis notes that United failed to score more than once in 12 of their 22 WSL2 matches last season.
They have already scored at least twice in two of their opening three league games this time around.
Lumsden believes increased familiarity between Newcastle’s attacking players is beginning to make a difference.
Thomas was one of several experienced additions during an ambitious summer rebuild, while Newcastle have continued investing away from the pitch as well.
ReadNewcastle previously covered the club’s £30million facilities programme, which specifically included further investment across the academy and women’s programme. ReadNewcastle: Newcastle confirm £30m facilities investment
Oxtoby is now beginning to see the attacking benefits on the pitch.
Leicester provide next test for Newcastle
The challenge is maintaining those numbers.
Newcastle host Leicester City at Gateshead International Stadium on Sunday, with the club’s official fixture list confirming a 1pm kick-off. Newcastle United Women fixtures
Leicester should provide another useful test of whether Newcastle’s improved attacking output can become sustainable rather than simply an excellent opening run.
Lumsden already looks comfortable as one of Oxtoby’s main attacking outlets.
Thomas is now off the mark after her summer arrival.
If that relationship continues developing, Newcastle may finally have the firepower required to turn tight WSL2 contests into convincing victories.
