Sunderland Ladies were on the cup trail again as they entertained Liverpool Ladies in the 1st round of the FA Tesco Premier League Cup at the Hetton Centre on Sunday. The visitors have had a great start to their season as they head the Northern Premier League with a 100% record from their opening four games.
Liverpool struck first blood as they took the lead in the 6th minute from a right wing corner when Jo Traynor headed home unchallenged. Sunderland were stung into action as Nicola Devine went down the left and crossed for Kelly McDougall but she was beaten to the ball by Traynor. A strong run down the right by Abby Holmes was halted by a great last ditch tackle by Katie Williams. Then good play between McDougall and Lucy Staniforth saw the ball played out to Demi Stokes but her effort was well saved by keeper Hannah Williams. Sunderland had a lucky escape in the eighteenth minute when a Liverpool free kick struck the bar with Rachel Laws stranded.
The home side drew level after 28 mins when Staniforth played the ball through to Natalie Gutteridge who went past her marker before
sending Stokes clear on goal to slide the ball under the advancing Williams and into the net. At the other end only a great tackle
by Vicki Greenwell prevented Foster going clear on goal. The last action of the half saw Stephanie Bannon bring the ball out of defence
and play a great through ball to send Jordan Nobbs clear on goal but Williams was quickly out to smother the danger.
HT.... Sunderland
Ladies 1 Vs 1 Liverpool Ladies
The second half began with Sunderland in determined mood as Halliday’s cross was met at
the far post by Nobbs but Jones cleared the danger. Sunderland took the lead on 56 mins when Staniforth won the ball in the middle,
and as the ball was partially cleared, Nobbs ran in to strike a superb shot from twenty five yards which rifled into the top corner.
Further efforts from Stokes and Staniforth were beaten away, before Kelly McDougall hit a fine volley which rattled the crossbar.
The Wearsiders extended their lead on 76 mins when Stokes cut in from the right and fed Staniforth who went on to beat three defenders
before calmly slotting past the keeper Williams. Further efforts by Devine and Sophie Williams were beaten away as Sunderland threatened
to run riot. The 4th goal duly arrived five minutes from time when Stokes crossed for Gutteridge to control on her chest, turn and
volley brilliantly home from the edge of the box. Two minutes later the scoring was complete as Holmes charged down the right and
sent in a pinpoint cross for Gutteridge to rise above the defence and head powerfully home.
FT.... Sunderland Ladies 5 Vs 1 Liverpool Ladies
Manager Mick Mulhern spoke after the game...I was disappointed with our display in the 1st half and we discussed
at half time how to improve our performance. We hadn’t played to our usual standards and to be fair the girls recognised this and
responded magnificently with a great 2nd half effort against a good Liverpool team. We thoroughly deserved the victory and I’m delighted
to be in the next round.
Sunderland...Laws, Holmes (Salicki), Bannon, Greenwell, Halliday,Stokes, Staniforth, Nobbs, McDougall (Unwin), Devine (Williams), Gutteridge. Sub not used...Wilson