7th October
First Home Defeat . . . Sunderland Women 0 - 1 Crewe Alexandra Ladies
The game started slowly with neither side able to create a clear chance. Crewe seemed happy to soak up any pressure and deny Sunderland space. Fry and Danby both came close as the home side stepped up the pace but it still took a fine save by keeper Alderson to prevent Crewe taking a shock lead as the half ended goal less.
The second half continued as the first had ended with the visitors content to sit back and rely on the occasional breakaway. The home side were rocked on 52 minutes when Newman was allowed to run through midfield and her hopeful punt into the box eluded everyone and somehow ended up in the back of the Sunderland goal. The remainder of the game saw Sunderland lay siege to the Crewe goal which seemed to lead a charmed life. Bentley shot just wide while Jess Clarke’s effort rolled along the goal line. Danby saw two further attempts go astray before Harthen raised hopes with two late drives which again went narrowly wide as the game ended with a first home defeat of the season for Sunderland .
Manager Mick Mulhern spoke of his disbelief at the end of the game. “ We had enough possession and chances to have won by a cricket score. Crewe didn’t win the game we contrived to lose it.”
Sunderland must pick themselves up from this disappointment before Thusday’s home derby fixture with Newcastle, ko 7.45, at The Hetton Centre.
Sunderland…. Alderson, Wilson, Bannon, Jade Clarke, Booth, Jess Clarke, Lee, Fry(Crann), Havelock(O’Brien), Bentley(Harthen), Danby.
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