This was the first time that United began a campaign in WSL2 at home since entering the league in 2024, and they did not disappoint in front of a 1,671-strong crowd at Gateshead International Stadium.

It was a whirlwind start from United that saw them secure all three points, with Beth Lumsden scoring after just eight minutes before a Georgia Marshall own goal put United in total control.

The Lasses dominated both possession and chances throughout the game, while Anna Tamminen was rarely troubled as she started the season with a clean sheet.

United came flying out of the blocks to kick off their season at home with just 120 seconds on the clock, and Kathleen McGovern forced Emily Orman into a save at her near post after the Scotland international latched onto Martha Thomas' flick-on in the box.

While Newcastle were denied early on by Orman, she could do little six minutes later to stop Lumsden. McGovern glided across the middle of the pitch, drifting past two Wolves players before cutting open the defence with a perfect pass for United's number 26, who beat the on-rushing Orman to poke the ball beyond her and open the scoring.

Newcastle's opening goal only spurred on the home side, with the majority of the game being played in Wolves' half, and that pressure paid off when they doubled their lead before 18 minutes were on the clock.

A smart ball around the corner from Thomas found Lumsden down the left, and she beat Beth Roberts in a foot race to pick out the box-crashing Mollie Lambert. Despite her sliding effort from close range being saved by Orman, she was able to watch on as the rebound ricocheted off Marshall for an own goal.

After the second goal, United looked to control the tempo and move the visitors about, but they almost got a third, and it would have been a first in black and white for Kaitlyn Torpey.

The Australian started off the move by sliding in Lambert, who rounded Orman but couldn't get a shot away at an acute angle. She laid the ball off to McGovern to cross in, which was only half cleared to the edge of the area for Torpey to hit first time, but her strike was met by a wall of Wolves players almost on the line.

With United in control and enjoying their two-goal lead, the second half was one of few chances and more about seeing the game out and being professional in their performance.

However, Wolves carved open their best chance of the game with just seconds to play when Amber Hughes ghosted in at the back post, but her volley lacked power and fell gently into the arms of Tamminen.

Newcastle United Women: Anna Tamminen, Jemma Purfield, Kathleen McGovern (Emilia Larsson 77), Mollie Lambert (Oona Sevenius 90+2), Hildur Antonsdottir (Katie Bradley 77), Martha Thomas, Kaitlyn Torpey, Lois Joel, Aoife Mannion, Beth Lumsden (Leanne Kiernan 58), Rachel McLauchlan (c)

Subs not used: Kayla Rendell, Charlotte Wardlaw, Demi Stokes, Hanna Nemeth, Oona Sevenius, Gemma Evans