Jane Riddell also had a good opportunity to make it four, from a Jess Havelock corner, Riddell met the ball with a powerful header only to be denied by a great save from the Birmingham goalkeeper and the rebound was then hit over the bar.

HT Sunderland Res 3 – 0  Birmingham City Res 

Birmingham came out in the second half looking to cause Sunderland more problems by pushing players into more advanced positions, however, excellent defending by Sunderland saw the Birmingham players see very little of Rachael Laws’ goal.  Sunderland continued to battle well in the middle of midfield with Emma Bell and Sarah Unwin being more than a match with Birmingham's extra player in the middle of the park.

Jane Riddell then made no mistake this time to finish the game, when she hit a left footed shot high across the goalkeeper who could only push the ball into the roof of the net.

Full Time Sunderland Res 4 – 0  BirminghamCity Res 

Manager Mark Pae said ...  ‘Birmingham came here with a game plan to stop us playing in the middle of the park, playing an extra player in there against Emma Bell and Sarah Unwin, who's work rate and distribution of the ball was second to none.  It pleased me that we played the ball out from the back and switched the play well.  Our wingers played particularly well and our forwards worked really hard and I'm pleased two of them got on the score sheet.  Jess Clark also deserved her goal for her work rate.  Overall, scoring four goals and not conceding is very pleasing.’

Birmingham came out with a 4-5-1 formation, making it hard for the home team to break them down, but Sunderland started brightly with some good chances from both Jess Havelock and Jess Clark who proved a handful for the visitors down both wings. 

After the 8th minute, Emma Bentley made no mistake inside the box, when the ball fell to her and she hit a low hard shot into the bottom corner.  Again good pressure from Sunderland saw Bentley cause problems for the Birmingham back four and her touch fell to Jess Clark who cut inside to hit an unstoppable left footed shot, taking Sunderland into a two goal lead.