In stark contrast to the last visit to the midlands this time the weather variable was rain, not heat, and lots of it too! That aside it made for a good passing surface and one which the team took full advantage of. The game began with both sides setting up in a 4-4-2 formation and involved some early chances for both teams. Leicester played direct into Sunderland’s final third, but were unable to move into any kind of second phase and relied upon a lot of long range shots which rarely troubled Katie Luther.

A well organised back four consisting of Jane Riddell, Becky Salicki, Laura Venison and Nicola Devine provided a solid defensive unit and worked hard to make if difficult for Leicester to make any in-roads on the Sunderland goal.

A foray into Leicester’s penalty area allowed the ever alert Jordan Atkinson to open the scoring with a well taken goal after 14mins. Sunderland continued to press and after a shot from Erin Middleton which was parried by the Leicester keeper, Charlotte Proud was on hand to make it 2-0. Leicester’s only real chance in the first half resulted in a great finger tip save from Katie Luther, who managed to recover well and divert the ball past the post.

HT... Leicester Res 0 - 2 Sunderland Res

The second half kicked off with a much improved tempo from Sunderland. Hannah Caldwell was very busy in midfield and had a lot of possession and made great use of the ball to provide attacking options for the team. A through ball in behind after 60 mins allowed Charlotte Proud in on goal, where she calmly finished to make it 3-0. Leicester were unable to clear their lines after another Sunderland attack which allowed Erin Middleton to score with a well placed finish to make it 4-0.

The movement of Sunderland’s forwards Erin Middleton & Laura Hockaday continued to trouble Leicester and when another diagonal forward pass was made from the left flank into the penalty area, Proud was able to get in front of the defender and despatched a great finish into the bottom left hand corner of the Leicester goal to make it 5-0 and claim her hat trick

A ball in behind down the centre of the Sunderland defence allowed the Leicester forward to advance in on goal, where a shot into the bottom left hand corner made it 5-1. Leicester got a lift from this goal but that was short lived as Jordan Atkinson responded with another well taken goal after 77mins to make it 6-1 to Sunderland.

Abbey Joyce continued to impress and after regaining the ball in midfield played a precision pass into the penalty area for Jordan Atkinson to run onto against an oncoming goal keeper. Her bravery was rewarded as the ball was spilled and she calmly collected it and passed the ball into the net for Sunderland’s seventh of the day and her well deserved hat-trick.

FT... Leicester Res 1 - 7 Sunderland Res 

Reserve Team Manager, Gary Mitchinson commented “The team put in a good all round performance today. I was particularly pleased with the way we stepped up the tempo of the game in the second half, especially with our passing and support off the ball. Things are starting to take shape and with players recovering from minor injuries, we are now nearing full squad availability.”

Sunderland: Luther, Riddell, Salicki, Venison, Devine, Atkinson, Joyce, Caldwell, Proud, Middleton, Hockaday.

Scorers: Atkinson (14,77,88), Proud (25,60,70), Middleton (63),

Reporter: Roy Chinnigstam