TOWN Ladies lost 3-0 at Newcastle United as they returned to action in the Northern Women’s Combination League.

After six weeks of inactivity, the visitors were a little rusty, and against a side unbeaten since August, it showed.

Emily Heckler came close in the 32nd minute, but it took a scrambled clearance by Katie Barnes a minute later to keep the home side out.

Town had a setback in the first minute of the second half, when keeper Laura Carter could only deflect a tricky cross into her own net.

Newcastle scored again in the 56th and 70th minutes to go three points clear of Sheffield Wednesday at the top of the table.

Full-back Becky Davies and midfielder Jo Symington were voted joint players of the match for sixth-placed Town, who are without a game this weekend.

Town’s Under 14 team remained four points clear at the top of the Sheffield and Hallamshire League after an 11-2 win over Worksop Girls.

With Grange Moor unplayable, the game was switched to Worksop, but losing home advantage made no difference to Town.

Kirsty Hanson got four goals, Katie Lockwood a hat trick and Lauren Buckley two with Ella Gill and Sian Lewis also on target.

Captain and central defender Niamh O’Dea was player of the match for Town, who travel to Doncaster Rovers Belles on Saturday (10.30).

The Under 12s are second in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Second Division after a 2-0 home win over Sprotborough and Cusworth.

Amy Broomhead bundled a fifth-minute opener from captain Laura Walker’s cross and the same pair produced the second (Broomhead was again the scorer) a minute into the second half.

Olivia Bennett hit a post with two minute to go for Town, who head to leaders Wickersley Youth on Saturday (10.30).