The England under-17 international started her first match for the United Women since October - an 8-0 victory over Cramlington Town Ladies in the same competition - and assisted Lauren Robson's opener before scoring two goals of her own.

"I love to score as it creates a buzz and increases my confidence," Ferguson said.

Becky Langley's side are the current holders of the County Cup and Ferguson reiterated the importance of the competition.

Ferguson said: "(Cup games) are just as important as any game. It creates a winning momentum and gives us confidence going into our next matches."

And the striker hopes that scoring in this competition will lead to more minutes in the Lady Magpies' league fixtures.

"In most of the games where I've come on, I have scored," Ferguson said. "I just need to continue making an impact and hopefully (it can lead to more starts)."

And despite often finding herself on the bench due to the scintillating form of United Women's top scorer Katie Barker, Ferguson feels that when the time is right, she and Barker could complement one another on the pitch.

She said: "I think it could work. We are both natural goalscorers and it would give the team a different dynamic going forward.

"Hopefully, when I have more experience of the women's game, it could be an option."

Ferguson is one of a handful of the Lady Magpies' youngsters who began the clash with West Allotment on Sunday, with Langley also handing starts to teenagers Keira Skelton, Jess Spark, Georgina Spraggon and Lois Greenslade.

And Ferguson believes that the onus is now on the younger players to make an impact.

"It is important for us to prove that we are good enough and capable to step in if needed," she said. "It is key for us to have depth in the squad."

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, the teenage striker outlined her targets, as the Lady Magpies look to achieve a league and cup double.

She said: "I want to progress and improve as a player. I hope to learn from my team-mates and gain more experience in the women's game."

Langley added a lot of youth to her squad in the summer, and the mid-season acquisitions of Erin Nelson and Ella Wilson have further bolstered her squad. Certainly, given the impact the youngsters are making, the future looks bright for the Lady Magpies.

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC