Sunderland’s slump in form continued as they looked a shadow of the team which earlier in the season beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds.
They went down to a workmanlike performance from a Doncaster side who were never really troubled throughout.
The visitors took
the lead after only 5 mins when Rachel Williams picked the ball up in midfield, took it on and struck a shot from 25 yards which flew
into the top corner. In reply Sunderland gained a corner which Kelly McDougall swung in for Natalie Gutteridge to head narrowly over.
Belles pressed forward again and only a great tackle from Gemma Wilson prevented Bennett from going clear. At the other end a poor
clearance from keeper Hourihan landed at the feet of Gutteridge but her goal bound effort was collected by the scrambling keeper.
Doncaster were proving very dangerous from set pieces and they extended their lead on 28 mins following a corner as Vicky Exley jumped highest to head past the despairing dive of Rachael Laws. Following a rare Sunderland attack Doncaster broke quickly through Exley and Owen but Vicky Greenwell and Wilson snuffed out the danger.
HT...Sunderland Ladies 0 vs 2 Doncaster Belles
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Sunderland were almost caught cold from the off as Chelsea Weston’s speculative punt from 30 yards came back off the bar. The home side at last seemed to get into their stride as Sophie Williams broke through to set up Gutteridge but her effort was hacked clear. Then Demi Stokes set up Jordan Nobbs but her shot failed to trouble Hourihan. Further efforts by McDougall, Nobbs and Gutteridge were off target before Belles made the game safe in the 65th minute. As Sunderland pushed forward the ball was swept quickly upfield from defence for Vaughan to go round Christon and pull it back perfectly for Sarah Owen to score from close in. This killed the game off and both sides played out the game with little further incident.
FT...Sunderland Ladies 0 vs 3 Doncaster Belles
Sunderland...Laws, Holmes(Staniforth), Wilson, Greenwell. Devine, Christon(Salicki), Nobbs, McDougall, Stokes, Williams, Gutteridge. Subs (not used)..Alderson, Halliday, Round.
The reserves, also at home to Doncaster Rovers Belles, had a 3-1 victory - Sunderland's goals - Jordan Atkinson (2) and Kiera Ramshaw.