Sunderland began to come into the game and almost drew level after 24 minutes. Vicky Greenwell began the move down the left as she brought in Nicola Devine who fed Demi Stokes to sidestep two defenders and hit a shot which was well saved by keeper Kay Hawkes. The home side equalised after 37 minutes when Stokes was fouled on the right. The free kick was driven in by Steph Bannon for Natalie Gutteridge to power home yet another headed goal. As Sunderland pushed forward they were hit with a sucker punch just before half time. A long ball out caught the home defence square and it was Michelska again who streaked clear to beat the advancing Alderson and give Lincoln a deserved half time lead.  HT... Sunderland Ladies 1  vs 2  OOH Lincoln Ladies

Sunderland began much more positively in the second half as a Kelly McDougall effort was well saved before Devine went clear only to see her shot blocked by keeper Hawke. A Lincoln free kick caused problems as Michalska ghosted in at the back post to strike just over from close in. The home side drew level after 53 minutes as Steph O’Brien played the ball through to Gutteridge who held the ball up before freeing Sophie Williams to go clear. Although her initial shot was saved by Hawke she followed up to tuck the rebound home. Both teams deserve credit as they pushed forward in search of a winner, Sunderland brought on another forward in Sarah Danby while Lincoln brought on ex England forward Amanda Barr. The Wearsiders almost took the lead on 65 minutes following a left wing corner by Stokes which was volleyed just wide by McDougall. Sunderland were not to be denied and scored a third goal in the 69^th minute. Gemma Wilson brought the ball out of defence and fed Abby holmes who played in O’Brien. She in turn moved the ball on for Williams who cleverly beat three defenders before unleashing a shot which Hawke pushed onto the bar but could not prevent dropping into the goal as she scrambled to recover. Further efforts by Danby, Gutteridge and McDougall went close but Lincoln were still dangerous going forward as Barr brought a great save from Alderson. In the closing stages Gutteridge brilliantly turned on the edge of the box to crash a shot against the bar in what proved to be the last effort on goal.  FT... Sunderland Ladies  3 vs 2  OOH Lincoln Ladies

Sunderland go two points clear of Lincoln at the top of the league and still have two games in hand. They face 3^rd placed Man City next Sunday at the Hetton Centre 2pm.

Manager Mick Mulhern was in reflective mood after the game, “It was your typical game of two halves. Perhaps we gave them too much respect early on as we stood off and allowed them to play. At half-time we discussed the problems we were creating for ourselves. The second half showing was full of character as we came back against a very good Lincoln side who played like league leaders. We are at the top now and are there to be shot at. We have to keep doing the things we are good at and show the character of champions.”

Sunderland...Alderson, Holmes, Bannon, Wilson, Greenwell, Stokes, O'Brien,McDougall, Devine(Danby), Gutteridge, Williams. Subs(not used).... Laws, Fletcher, Unwin, Atkinson.