Cochrane described the 22,134 crowd - the highest of any English women's league match this season - as "unbelievable," continuing to say that the occasion was "something that the whole of the North East will remember forever."

She added: "It is a history-making moment, something that'll live with every single player, the coaches, and staff.

"It is something that we'll always be proud of and we'll never forget. To walk out to 22,000 fans is absolutely incredible and it's true what they say, isn’t it; there's no support like Geordie support."

The Lady Magpies' right-back scored Newcastle Women's second goal in the first half, calmly slotting home from the penalty spot after winger Kacie Elson was taken down in the box.

And the skipper expressed her delight at scoring in the Lady Magpies' inaugural match at St. James' Park.

"What a feeling. What a place to do it," she said. "It's class; absolutely class.

"I went into my own mind of where I am putting the ball, zoned everyone out, and what a way to do it."

Cochrane will retire at the end of the season and was presented with a framed, signed shirt at the end of the match by her team-mates, staff and Newcastle United co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi.

Reflecting on her final season in a Newcastle Women shirt, the defender revealed her pride in battling back from injuries to reach this landmark match.

She said: "Three years ago I didn't think I'd ever play again, so to get another season out of my body is incredible. I've had a few injuries along the way this season which have hit me hard, but I worked hard, got myself sorted, and into the position that I am in.

"It's an amazing way to sign off the season."

Having been part of a momentous day in the history of Newcastle United Women, Cochrane projects a bright future for the Lady Magpies.

"It's going to boom, absolutely boom," she declared. "If today is anything to go by, and this season is anything to go by, it just proves where we are, where we should be and how well they're going to do next season."

And the Newcastle Women captain was quick to praise the support of Newcastle United's owners and their influence on Becky Langley's side since acquiring the club in October.

She said: "It's not just words with them, it's actions. The focus and drive that they have got have pushed all of us as players as well as coaching staff; we know that now is the time to step up.

"It's here, the support is here. Everything is there for us to take; we just have to showcase it and do the job."