Sunderland returned to action after a month without a game due to bad weather. But they tasted defeat for the first time this season when they travelled to Lincoln for this top of the table clash. In a tense game both teams deserve credit for an entertaining contest played in freezing conditions during which the Wearsiders were undone by two set pieces.
Lincoln enjoyed the early possession but it was the visitors who went closest to taking the lead. Natalie Gutteridge chased a through ball from Nicola Devine to cross for Sophie Williams to strike but Kay Hawke pulled off a fine save. Seconds later great play between Demi Stokes and Abby Holmes saw Gutteridge power in a header which Hawke did well to gather. As the home side, Lincoln lacked real penetration apart from playing long balls over the top and it was Sunderland who continued to carve out the chances as Lucy Bronze, Kelly McDougall and Gutteridge went close.
Lincoln took a surprise lead following a right wing corner after 14 mins. As the ball came in it was only partially cleared to Sophie Krivinskas and her shot from the edge of the box flew through the crowded goal area and into the bottom corner. Steph Bannon’s freekick on 32 mins caused problems in the home defence but it was scrambled clear. Further efforts by Williams and Devine followed good spells of Sunderland pressure but Lincoln were holding out well. HT...OOH Lincoln Ladies 1 vs 0 Sunderland Ladies
The visitors began the 2nd half in determined mood as they pressed Lincoln back. The home side were content to sit back
and break quickly through Amanda Barr and Jodie Michalska but Gemma Wilson and Steph Bannon were more than a match through the middle.
Sunderland’s pressure paid off after 53 mins when McDougall sent Williams clear on goal and the striker calmly slotted home a deserved
equaliser. Just after the hour mark Barr went clear on the left but Helen Alderson was quick to smother the danger The visitors could
sense victory and came close to taking the lead through a McDougall free kick. Moments later great work down the left by Vicky Greenwell
resulted in a fine volley from Stokes which keeper Hawke saved well. A Bronze long range effort went narrowly over before a fine jinking
run from Lucy Staniforth resulted in Gutteridge shooting wide. Another long ball out of defence saw Barr again go clear on goal but
once more Alderson was quick to smother the danger. Against the run of play Lincoln took the lead twelve minutes from time. A right
wing free kick was swung into the area and Carla Ward got to the ball first to send in a looping header which dropped into the top
corner. Sunderland threw everything at Lincoln in the closing stages in an attempt to get back on level terms and the home side were
happy to clear the ball anywhere as they held on until the final whistle. FT...OOH Lincoln Ladies 2 vs
1 Sunderland Ladies
Sunderland are now in 2nd place in the Women's Premier League Northern Division, 2 points behind
leaders Lincoln but with 3 games in hand.
Sunderland...Alderson, Holmes, Bannon, G Wilson, Greenwell, Stokes, McDougall, Bonze,
Devine(Staniforth), Williams, Gutteridge(Danby). Subs not used...Laws, O’Brien, S Wilson.
After the game Manager
Mick Mulhern was far from despondent...”I am disappointed to lose a game we totally dominated. There were far more positives to take
from this game against a Lincoln team who were pre season favourites in this league yet they did not hurt us in open play. To remain
unbeaten until December is a tremendous achievement matched only by Arsenal and Everton in the women’s pyramid. If we continue
to play as we did today we will win more than we lose and come next April we will be strong contenders for the title.”
