Hayles stars as Newcastle United record first-ever Championship win

Shania Hayles grabbed a goal and an assist as Newcastle United defeated Sheffield United 2-0 at Kingston Park to register their first-ever Barclays Women’s Championship win.

It took just five minutes for the hosts to net the opener; Beth Lumsden meeting a Hayles cross with an acrobatic effort at the back post.

The stadium rose for a minute’s applause in the eighth minute to honour former Blade Maddy Cusack, who passed away a year ago on Friday.

Hayles continued to be tormentor-in-chief, running at the visiting defence time and time again. She forced a decent save from Sheffield United keeper Sian Rogers low to her right, before dragging her next effort wide of the far post.

The South Yorkshire side were being marshalled well by the hosts, who restricted them to long-range efforts.

Hayles got a deserved goal in the 41st minute, beating Rogers to Lois Joel’s centre and bundling home.

The visitors almost found a way back into the contest straight after the break, as Leanne Cowan pounced on a fumble from Claudia Moan but she hooked the ball against the bar.

Lumsden flashed a shot wide from 20 yards before Maria Farrugia was denied when one-on-one with Moan, who closed the angle and blocked the shot.

Elysia Boddy shot wide from 25 yards soon after, as Newcastle United struggled to maintain their momentum from the first half.

Moan came to her side’s rescue once again with two stops in three minutes; firstly denying Liv Edwards and then Ellen Molloy, showing why she was named the league’s Player of the Year last season.

Sophie Haywood almost added gloss with four minutes remaining, but her deflected effort was brilliantly clawed away by Rogers.

Newcastle United and Sheffield United are back in Barclays Women’s Championship action next weekend. The Magpies travel to Portsmouth while The Blades go to Southampton.