Sunderland Ladies eventually cruised into the 5th round of the Women’s FA Cup at the Hetton Centre on Sunday. The final score of 4-1
in favour of the Wearsiders was a true reflection of the play but they left it late to confirm their dominance in a game they bossed
from start to finish.
After 4 minutes Jordan Nobbs released Sophie Williams down the left to cross for Lucy Staniforth to volley goalward, but Cardiff keeper Rhian Nokes saved well. All the early pressure was from the home side as Nobbs, Natalie Gutteridge and Kelly McDougall saw efforts blocked. Great work by Demi Stokes down the left in the 17th minute saw her beat several defenders before crossing for Gutteridge to head down for Staniforth to shoot just over. A clever one – two between Nobbs and Williams saw keeper Nokes save well from a Nobbs shot. Nobbs again played in Gutteridge on the right who crossed for Williams to hit a shot against the post.
A 27th minute corner from Stokes caused mayhem in the Cardiff defence as Gutteridge then Williams had shots scrambled away. The breakthrough
finally came in the 30th minute as Stokes broke down the left and crossed for Williams to flick on to Gutteridge who firmly headed
home. At the same time Sunderland were dealt a blow when key defender Gemma Wilson limped off with a hamstring injury. A great break
down the left by Vicky Greenwell released Nobbs who played in Williams to set up Staniforth who shot wide. Williams again came close
in the 42nd minute when her effort was cleared off the line but Sunderland were not to be denied as they extended their lead a minute
from the break. McDougall won the ball in midfield and released Greenwell to cross for Williams to head home from close in.
HT...
Sunderland Ladies 2 vs 0 Cardiff City Ladies
Cardiff had their first effort on goal in the 52nd minute when Harding’s
looping header brought a great finger tip save from Helen Alderson as she pushed the ball over. Five minutes later Gutteridge
headed against the bar as Sunderland dominance continued. Nobbs and McDougall came close as the visitors were penned in their own
half. On 71 minutes McDougall chased a ball down the right to pull the ball back for Stokes to drive narrowly wide. Great link
up play between Nobbs and McDougall saw the latter strike a volley which was well saved by Nokes. Completely out of the blue Cardiff
pulled a goal back after 75 minutes following sloppy defensive play. Lucy Bronze’s crossfield pass was cut out by Zoe Atkins who streaked
clear only to be denied by a fine save from Alderson. Unfortunately the ball broke back to Atkins who slid the ball home. Soon after
Natasha Harding was foiled by a well timed challenge by home skipper Steph Bannon. A McDougall volley was pushed around the
post by Nokes before a Staniforth drive was smothered by the overworked City keeper. Cardiff broke clear on 82 minutes and Atkins
was denied by Alderson diving at the strikers feet. Sunderland finished with a flourish as a Staniforth cross was headed out to McDougall
to strike the ball against the bar but the ball rebounded to Gutteridge who calmly slotted home in the 87th minute. A penetrating
run by Abby Holmes saw a Sarah Danby effort pushed wide by Nokes. From the resulting last minute corner the Wearsiders scored a fourth
when Nicola Devine bundled the ball home from close in.
FT... Sunderland Ladies 4 vs 1 Cardiff City Ladies
Manager Mick
Mulhern was delighted with the result...”The girls worked hard over the holiday break and it paid off today. The result was emphatic
over a team equally well placed in the Southern Division. Indeed with a little more luck we could have doubled the scoreline.”
Sunderland...Alderson, Bronze, Wilson (Holmes), Bannon, Greenwell, Staniforth, Nobbs, McDougall, Stokes (Devine), Gutteridge, Williams
(Danby).
