News
9th March
Draw with Forest . . . Sunderland Women 2 - 2 Nottingham Forest Ladies
Sunderland went into this clash with unbeaten league leaders Nott’m Forest without goalkeeper Helen Alderson, away on international duty, while striker Natalie Gutteridge was struggling with a knee injury and could only make the bench.
It proved an eventful afternoon with the hosts racing into a 2 goal lead before Forest clawed their way back to end the game level at 2-2. The visitors also had a player sent off late on in the 2nd half.
Sunderland began brightly and put Forest under early pressure with Sarah Danby and Emma Bentley causing problems. Their dominance paid off when Danby ran through the defence to fire past the keeper and give them the lead after 6 minutes.
It proved an eventful afternoon with the hosts racing into a 2 goal lead before Forest clawed their way back to end the game level at 2-2. The visitors also had a player sent off late on in the 2nd half.
Sunderland began brightly and put Forest under early pressure with Sarah Danby and Emma Bentley causing problems. Their dominance paid off when Danby ran through the defence to fire past the keeper and give them the lead after 6 minutes.
The home side continued to press forward with Lucy Bronze and Elisha Fry going close before Steph O’Brien doubled their lead after 33 minutes. She controlled a long crossfield pass to go clear and smash the ball into the roof of the net. Three minutes later, however, the visitors pulled a goal back when Beth Bailey cut out a Bronze back pass to round keeper Rachael Laws and fire home.
HT… Sunderland WFC 2 vs 1 Nott’m Forest Ladies
The second half began in an even tempo, but with Forest coming more into the game they began to show their credentials as league leaders. The home side were stunned on 59 minutes as Bailey grabbed an equaliser following some slack marking. It was end to end stuff as Bentley went close for Sunderland before home keeper Laws denied the visitors. Forest then hit the post before Nicola Devine brought a fine save from the goalkeeper. The visitors were reduced to 10 players on 82 minutes when Ellie Gilliatt was sent off. Sunderland almost took the points when Gutteridge went clear only to be denied by a fine save late on.
FT…Sunderland WFC 2 vs 2 Nott’m Forest Ladies
Sunderland…. Laws, Clark (Unwin), Wilson, Bannon, Holmes, O’Brien (Havelock), Bronze, Fry, Devine, Bentley (Gutteridge), Danby.
Other results:
NORTHERN DIVISION
Aston Villa 1-3 Rotherham United
Crewe Alexandra 1-5 Lincoln City
Newcastle United 3-0 Manchester City
Preston North End P-P Tranmere Rovers
HT… Sunderland WFC 2 vs 1 Nott’m Forest Ladies
The second half began in an even tempo, but with Forest coming more into the game they began to show their credentials as league leaders. The home side were stunned on 59 minutes as Bailey grabbed an equaliser following some slack marking. It was end to end stuff as Bentley went close for Sunderland before home keeper Laws denied the visitors. Forest then hit the post before Nicola Devine brought a fine save from the goalkeeper. The visitors were reduced to 10 players on 82 minutes when Ellie Gilliatt was sent off. Sunderland almost took the points when Gutteridge went clear only to be denied by a fine save late on.
FT…Sunderland WFC 2 vs 2 Nott’m Forest Ladies
Sunderland…. Laws, Clark (Unwin), Wilson, Bannon, Holmes, O’Brien (Havelock), Bronze, Fry, Devine, Bentley (Gutteridge), Danby.
Other results:
NORTHERN DIVISION
Aston Villa 1-3 Rotherham United
Crewe Alexandra 1-5 Lincoln City
Newcastle United 3-0 Manchester City
Preston North End P-P Tranmere Rovers
