Sunderland started their premiership season with a solid building block for a positive campaign.
They kicked off the first half showing their determination applying early pressure whenever Bristol had the ball aiming to regain possession. When in possession Sunderland were comfortable switching the ball from midfield with Lucy Staniforth and Jordan Nobbs combining with Abby Holmes and Sophie Halliday. Within the first 2 minutes Nobbs was fouled in the middle of the field which the delivery led to the following corner. Demi Stokes delivered the corner to the front post area to meet Nicola Devine's head and ultimately the net. The goal set the scene for the game with Bristol having few chances to threaten Rachael Laws in goal.
Bristol tried to play-out from the back which was to their detriment as Sunderland's determination to regain possession in the final
third was prevalent. It was only until the 14th minute where Bristol actually threatened the Sunderland defence from a set play
free kick where they had a chance, but this was dealt with. Only a few set plays through corners where Bristol entered Sunderland's
box but Steph Bannon's defence kept themselves organised and dealt with them comfortably. More chances were created from the work
rate of Natalie Gutteridge aiming to flick on Midfield runs of Nobbs and Kelly McDougall. McDougall also came close from an outside
of the box effort where only a deflection had made the ball rise over the bar. The first half ended 1-0 but more work was needed to
be done to secure the win and put it out of reach of Bristol. HT... Bristol Academy 0 Sunderland 1
The
second half started with a determined Bristol to try and get points out of the game Laws suddenly saw a lot more of the ball. Quick
pace from Bristol's Loren Dykes and pressure applied from Sharla Passariello looked to press Sunderland's back four and get onto the
ball in behind. However, again Sunderland stepped up to the challenge and was able to deal with Bristol's penetration and with any
shots getting through only going wide. Sunderland looked to keep composed keeping the ball after 65minutes Staniforth set Devine free
deep in their own half to travel with the ball, seeing; little option forward she then switched the ball back through Nobbs and then
to Holmes who then delivered a deep cross from the right to the back post for Gutteridge to jump and poke the ball past the keeper
mid-air and into the net. With Bristol trying to get in behind Sunderland through the flanks looking to go wide regularly, Holmes
picked up her first yellow card following a strong determined challenge on Loren which the referee deemed to be late. A few more efforts
create by Sunderland again coming close from the midfield. McDougall hit a 25 yard shot just over the top corner after some good link
up play between her and Stokes. Holmes was substituted for Becky Salicki for a straight swap, a minute later Bristol's closest chance
of the game provided from a corner as it was delivered deep and the shot hit Sunderland's corner goal, which gave another warning.
However Sunderland were determined not to let the lead go and in addition a clean sheet, positive- thus applying more pressure to
the Bristol's Defence. Gutteridge was substituted for Jordan Atkinson looking to add pace to the Sunderland attack. Sunderland held
the score line for the result to end a deserved 2-0 victory for Sunderland WFC. FT... Bristol Academy 0
Sunderland 2
Mick Mulhern, Sunderland WFC Manager said: "This is the perfect start that we hoped for, Bristol have always been a tough
team to beat and I doubt many people would have expected us to beat Bristol especially on their home patch so to take all three points
is even more rewarding. The girls were fantastic in their preparation and work rate; we can now look to build on this result."
