McQuade notched three goals on her first-ever league start for the Magpies' first team on Sunday, as Becky Langley's team defeated AFC Fylde Women 11-3 at Kingston Park to open up a gap at the top of the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division.

After overcoming an injury in during the first part of the season, having made the transition into the first team from Newcastle's development squad, she believes she is in the correct place to continue growing.

"To be honest, I think it has been the perfect start from summer to now because it's not been easy and just been gradual," said McQuade.

"I had the obstacle of breaking my ribs. I have had the highs of starting in pre-season and then the lows of breaking my ribs and trying to get back.

"When I got my chance against Fylde, I then scored a hat-trick, and that's always nice.

"I can see by the way I train now, both technically and physically, it’s getting more and more mature and it's helping. I feel like I am such a better player - but everyone is."

McQuade has had to be patient to get her chance for the Magpies this term and has regularly come off the bench to make an impact.

While explaining that her aims don't change, regardless of whether she starts or is a substitute, the midfielder admits she always sets out to help the team progress towards the overarching aims of the season.

"I think it is healthy competition," she added. "Other weeks, other players are getting chances and I'm on the bench and it just makes it more worth it when I get a chance.

"That helps me with my performance. If there is pressure to get into the team, I feel like I play better.

"I think building up to the game (if I know) that I am not starting, I do think that when I come on I have got to do a bit to have a better chance of starting in the future.

"But when it comes down to it, it's just focusing on getting the three points and playing the same way. I don't have the time to focus too much on my own performance, and it's just about helping the team's performance."

Twelve months ago, McQuade was playing for the Magpies' development team, having overcome some personal issues away from the pitch before returning to football.

After a transformative year, she admits she sometimes has to stop and appreciate the progress she has made, both in football and in life.

"This time last year I had only been here a month," McQuade explained. "I didn't know what was going to happen this season. It just happened really quickly. I didn't have time to process it or worry about it really.

"When I need to ground myself or I am getting frustrated or don't think I am doing well, I just think I have got through all that in the past.

"To get from there to now in such a short period of time, I now give myself more credit.

"And when I am more positive, I do better."