Sunderland Ladies travelled to Chelsea on Sunday but lost out in an evenly contested match decided in a crazy 10 minute spell of lack
lustre defending late in the second half.
Chelsea had billed this as a revenge mission as the Lady Black Cats had beaten the Londoners in the semi final of the Women’s FA Cup last season. Sunderland were dealt an early blow when Sophie Williams was ruled out through illness.
There was nothing to choose between the teams in a first half of little goalmouth action. Indeed the second half also saw action of little note until the game exploded into life in the 68th minute. As Chelsea made progress down the left, the ball was crossed into the middle and defensive hesitancy resulted in Steph Curtis firing home from 8 yards. Then Wearside woes were doubled on 75 minutes as Danielle Buet scored directly from a corner. 3 minutes later Sunderland were awarded a corner but Chelsea cleared and broke quickly downfield.
Before the visitors could reorganise Leanne Sanderson played the ball in behind the defence for Rebecca Jane to slide the ball back to Buet who slotted home her second of the game.
Sunderland did pull a goal back on 81 minutes when a Lucy Staniforth free kick
was firmly headed into goal by Kelly McDougall.
FT...Chelsea Ladies 3 vs 1 Sunderland WFC
Sunderland...Laws,
Holmes, Bannon, Wilson, Devine, Stokes, Staniforth, Nobbs, McDougall, Halliday(Greenwell), Gutteridge.
Subs (not used)...Salicki, Clark,
Atkinson.
Manager Mick Mulhern spoke after the game, “It’s so disappointing as we generally played well and deserved better from
the game. But for a mad 10 minute spell when we gave them their goals we matched them all over the pitch.”
Sunderland reserves lost out to Leeds Carnegie reserves at Leyburn Grove after a first half penalty. Emma Bentley almost equalised in the second half after a well struck shot hit the cross bar.
Sunderland Women welcome
Doncaster Rovers Belles to the Hetton Centre on Thursday night in a Women's Premier League mid-week fixture.
The Belles currently lie in 8th place in the league, one below Sunderland and both sides will be looking to bounce back from their defeats this Sunday.
The game will take place at The Hetton Centre, with a 7.45pm kick off.