The in-form winger said: "I feel proud to get my first competitive league goal of the season, and it feels even better to get an assist too."

The result against Stockport County Women - which also saw Rosie Missen and Georgina Spraggon get on the scoresheet - ensured that Becky Langley's side maintained their brilliant start to the season in the FA Women's National League, having won all three of their games.

Soulsby hailed the hunger and desire within the Newcastle Women group, adding: "This squad wants to win every game and winning our third game in a row helps continue the momentum that we have built up over the past couple of weeks."

The victory was also the Lady Magpies' second win on the road this season, following their 6-0 away win against FC United of Manchester on the opening weekend. Away form is something that Soulsby believes is key if Newcastle Women are going to have a successful season.

"It is incredibly important that we get results away from home," she said. "We get amazing support for our home games at Druid Park but wins away from home ensure that we continue to build momentum every single week."

Having a full pre-season is something that manager Langley championed before the start of the season, with last season being largely disrupted due to Covid-19. These thoughts are echoed by Soulsby, who believes that a terrific pre-season has played a huge role in the Lady Magpies' impressive form so far.

She said: "We worked incredibly hard on our fitness in pre-season. I think our fitness has really helped us to overcome the teams that we have played so far this season."

Soulsby also praised the recruitment of Langley and her staff, and the professionalism that the new players have shown since being part of the Newcastle Women squad. She said: "The new players have fitted in really well. As a squad we are all showing a lot of hard work and commitment."

With the new recruits and the Lady Magpies' scintillating early-season form, Soulsby believes that Langley now has a squad capable of achieving success.

She declared: "Our ambition is to win the league. We need to keep building on what we have achieved so far but maintain our professionalism. We cannot get carried away with the highs, or dwell too much with the lows."

Newcastle United Women host Chorley Ladies on Sunday, 5th August and, according to Soulsby, the Lady Magpies will be putting the work in to be prepared for the fixture.

"We will look to see what we can improve in training and build towards the weekend," she said. "We will look to bag another three points and continue our perfect start."

Kick-off at Druid Park on Sunday is at 2pm (BST). Admission is £3 for adults or £1 for under-16s and concessions and contactless payment is preferred.

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC