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Reggae Girlz Star Shania Hayles Scores as Newcastle Women Stage Thrilling Comeback Against Southampton
Written by Sports Desk. Posted in WSL. | 03 February 2025 | 187 Views
Tags: Football, Wsl, Shania Hayles, Newcastle Women, Southampton Women

Jamaican international Shania Hayles played a pivotal role in Newcastle United Women’s dramatic comeback against Southampton Women in the Women's Super League (WSL) on Sunday, as the Magpies battled from two goals down to snatch a crucial 2-2 draw in the dying moments of the match.

It was a case of déjà vu for Newcastle, who for the second time this season managed to salvage a point against Southampton in the final seconds of second-half stoppage time.

Southampton took a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half, thanks to a brace from Molly Pike. The Saints struck first when Araya Dennis delivered a precise pass to the onrushing Pike, who bundled the ball home from close range. Pike then doubled the advantage before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to fire into the top corner.

Newcastle nearly pulled one back before the break when Hayles broke through Southampton’s offside trap but was unable to convert as her touch around goalkeeper Fran Stevenson proved too heavy, allowing the Saints to recover and clear the danger.

Undeterred, Newcastle dominated possession after halftime, and their persistence paid off when Hayles struck in the second half. A slick passing sequence involving Amy Andrews, Emily Murphy, and Freya Gregory found the Reggae Girlz forward in the box, and she expertly spun past her marker before blasting the ball into the top corner. With that goal, Hayles cemented her status as the Barclays Women’s Championship top scorer.

Southampton nearly restored their two-goal lead moments later, as Dennis once again found space behind the Newcastle defense, but Claudia Moan produced a crucial save to keep her side in the game. The Magpies then pressed relentlessly for an equalizer, with Murphy and Andrews both testing Stevenson, who was forced into several key stops.

Newcastle’s persistence finally paid off in stoppage time when a Beth Lumsden corner caused chaos in the Southampton box. After a frantic scramble, Andrews pounced on the loose ball and rifled home through a crowded goalmouth to complete the comeback and secure a vital point on the road.

With this result, Newcastle United Women continue to show resilience in the WSL, while Hayles’ impact further underscores her importance as a top-class finisher and key figure for both club and country.