UNITED welcomed National Premiership side Doncaster Rover Belles to the Wheatsheaf ground on Sunday in a pre-season friendly ahead of next week's League opener.

The game was played on a fantastic playing surface that made for a good attacking game, Newcastle created three good chances in the first 30 mins, Vikki Greenwell had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring but Belles keeper made a crucial save.

Michaela Newton and Melanie Reay went close before a Jamie Leigh Scott free kick put the Doncaster keeper under pressure and she could only palm the ball onto the post and into the net.

Donny Belles played some slick passing football through midfield and the Toon defence had to be on their toes at all times.

In the second period of the game both teams were on par and United defended well to keep Doncaster at bay with Crooks, Cartwright and Scott putting in some good challenges to thwart the visitors attack.

Doncaster Belles piled the pressure on the home side in the closing stages and Magpies keeper Emma McEnaney had to be spot on when taking crosses with the visitors strikers ready to pounce.

Doncaster Belles struck the bar late on and the game ended with the 1 - 0 result in United's favour and was excellent preparation for the welcome of Stockport County in the opening game of the 2006/07 season.

Rob Atkin, NUWFC Head Coach, said: "This was a good team performance throughout, Doncaster are a very good side and my players can be proud of themselves today.

"The return of our goalkeeper Emma McEnaney breeds confidence in the defence and we fully deserved the clean sheet today, our midfield worked very well as a unit even when they were outnumbered."