“Historic Wear-Tyne Derby Draws Record Crowd as Newcastle Triumphs Over Sunderland”

Newcastle and Sunderland are making strides to establish a strong presence in women's football in the North East, highlighted by the recent Wear-Tyne derby. The match, held at the Stadium of Light, attracted a record crowd of 15,387 fans, surpassing the previous Women's Championship attendance record of 11,137 set during a match between Sheffield United and London City Lionesses two years ago. As motorists navigated the slow-moving traffic towards central Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, they were greeted by electronic signs flashing the message: "Ha’way the Lasses." The excitement was palpable as fans flocked to the stadium, drawn in by ticket prices of £12 for adults and £6 for under-16s. The derby saw Newcastle take the lead with a stunning goal from Beth Lumsden, who skillfully maneuvered past Sunderland's Jessica Brown and found the net with a rising shot, leaving home goalkeeper Demi Lambourne with no chance. The goal silenced the majority of the home crowd, marking a pivotal moment in the match. This event not only showcased the growing popularity of women's football in the region but also highlighted the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, setting the stage for future encounters in the Women's Championship.