Delight for Everton as they defeat Newcastle United in Players Cup

Delight for Everton as they defeat Newcastle United in Players Cup Everton have taken another step towards securing qualification for the next round of the Subway Players Cup by defeating Newcastle United 2-0 at Goodison Park this evening. Ornella Vignola netted both goals late in the game as The Toffees made it two wins from two in the competition. Everton started brightly and Hikaru Kitagawa sent a free-kick narrowly wide before an Aurora Galli effort hit the side-netting. Noémie Mouchon then had the ball in the back of the net, but the whistle blew and the goal was disallowed. Hannah Cain was the next player to threaten the Newcastle United goal. The forward was unmarked and attempted a shot at goal, but fortunately for Anna Tamminen, the ball bounced off the post, keeping things level. Newcastle United’s chances were few and far between. Lois Joel took a free-kick, but put too much power on the ball and it flew over. Cain tried her luck from 25 yards out, but the ball was caught well by Tamminen before Mouchon headed wide from a Vignola cross. Honoka Hayashi then had a clear attempt at goal, but her effort landed in the gloves of Tamminen. At 0-0, Newcastle United remained in the game. Joel again failed to find the target with a free-kick before Abbie Richardson’s effort was caught by Rylee Foster-Inman. Everton looked the more likely side to make the breakthrough, but Galli fired high and wide while Hayashi couldn’t significantly trouble Tamminen. Former Liverpool loanee Charlotte Wardlaw then failed to punish the hosts before Everton finally made the breakthrough courtesy of Vignola. She found the back of the net with a perfect strike; it had been a long time coming for The Toffees. Everton made it 2-0 six minutes from time with Vignola again getting her name on the scoresheet. Everton are in fourth position after two rounds of matches, although they have a game-in-hand on the sides above them. Newcastle United are 22nd after losing all three of their games.