NUWFC have reached the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup for the first time in the history of the competition following a 2 - 0 victory at home to Curzon Ashton.

Newcastle enjoyed the better of a goalless first half, with man of the match Jamie Leigh Scott performing superbly to keep the Curzon attack at bay, while midfield duo Sarah Renton and Leanne McGee also impressed.

Newcastle had a chance to take the lead on 25 minutes when Michaela Newton broke clear of the Curzon defence and looked set to score before keeper Jade Thornborough came from her box to handle. She was let off with only a lecture before Scott fired the resulting free-kick over the bar.

However, they kept up the pressure after the break and were rewarded shortly after the interval when Kelly Ridley curled the ball home direct from a corner to break the deadlock. 

Newton, Ridley and Scott all had chances to extend the lead, while solid defending from a backline of Vikki Greenwell, Jemma Parr, Jo Cartwright and Scott meant home keeper Emma McEnaney had little to do.

The crucial second goal finally came three minutes from time. Another Ridley corner was headed goalwards by Scott and flicked over the line by Newton to secure Newcastle's place in the last eight of the cup.

Afterwards, Head Coach Rob Atkin said: "It was always going to be a nervy occasion with a place in the Quarter Finals at stake.

"We knew Curzon would come and try and frustrate us by playing one up front, but our girls stuck at the task of getting down the flanks and creating chances.

"At half time we told them to keep their patience and continue to be positive. I think the changes we made at the break kept Curzon on the back foot, but we knew we could not allow them to hit us with a sucker punch as they did with Sunderland in the previous round.

"To be in the last eight is a fantastic achievement and we will be looking forward to the draw."