Sunderland made the long journey south hoping to complete their first double of the season as they travelled to Millwall Lionesses.
The Weasiders were victorious last month as they ended the Londoners unbeaten start to the campaign.
Sunderland began brightly as they pushed the home side back looking for an early goal. Natalie Gutteridge and Jordan Nobbs went close for the visitors while McKeag shot wide for Millwall. The breakthrough came on 39 mins following a strong run by Demi Stokes. She beat 2 defenders and cut inside to set Kelly McDougall free on goal and although Claire Lacey initially saved, McDougall followed up to slot home from an acute angle.
Further efforts from Gutteridge and Lucy Staniforth could have extended the lead as Sunderland went into the break in control.
HT...
Millwall Lionesses 0 vs 1 Sunderland Ladies
The Wearsiders continued to press as Gutteridge, McDougall and Nobbs had efforts
beaten away. Heatherson caused a scare for the visitors but her shot failed to trouble keeper Rachael Laws. Sunderland extended their
lead after 60 mins following a right wing corner from McDougall as skipper Steph Bannon rose highest at the back post to head firmly
into goal. Millwall were stunned into action and had their brightest spell of the game and eventually pulled a late goal back through
Ann Marie Heatherson. She picked the ball up on the right, turned inside and drove a hard low shot into the bottom corner. Sunderland
held on for a deserved victory which should have been more convincing and takes them joint top of the National Premier League.
FT...
Millwall Lionesses 1 vs 2 Sunderland Ladies
Boss Mick Mulhern said... ”From back to front we competed and did our jobs
very well. We dominated throughout and created several good opportunities to score. If I was to be critical I would say that we need
to be more clinical in the box. But we won, so I am delighted.”
Sunderland...Laws, Holmes, Wilson(Greenwell), Bannon, Devine, Staniforth, McDougall, Nobbs, Stokes, Halliday(Atkinson), Gutteridge. Subs (not used)...Salicki, Unwin.