By head coach Langley's own admission, her team were far from being at their best but they still created more than enough opportunities to win the game and lift the trophy. However, despite taking a 16th-minute lead through a Malika Apinda own goal, United's Essex-based opponents roared back with strikes from Macey Nicholls and Phoebe Williams to ensure they were celebrating at the end of the match.

More than 3,000 Newcastle supporters had made the journey - a 500-mile round-trip for many of those who filled coaches and cars to cheer the Lasses on - while ownership group representatives Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi were also in attendance.

And while they were left disappointed on the day, United's women now have four league games left to ensure they do get their hands on silverware this season in the form of the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division title, and claim back to back promotions.

Club photographer Serena Taylor brought nufc.co.uk this gallery from Bedfordshire, with the image of a rainbow above the scene of this heartbreaking defeat symbolising the hope that there is still a pot of gold waiting for the Magpies come the end of the campaign.