Sunderland Ladies ended their season on a high as they brushed aside Nottingham Forest with an accomplished performance that brings to an end a successful season in the top flight for Mick Mulhern’s young side.

The Wearsiders finish in a creditable 5^th position and with a little more luck, and perhaps experience, could have finished even higher.

The visitors began strongly as Demi Stokes’ early effort was tipped over the bar. From the resulting corner a Jordan Nobbs shot went wide of the goal. Despite their pressure Sunderland had a narrow escape as Lucy Bronze headed off the line following a quick Forest break and then Rachael Laws tipped a free kick over the bar. At the other end Natalie Gutteridge came close before Sarah Danby volleyed narrowly wide. Nobbs tried her luck from 25 yards and although it beat the keeper her shot came back off the bar.

The visitors were not to be denied however as they took the lead after 32 mins. Kelly McDougall’s corner was turned against the bar by Stokes and Gemma Wilson was first to react to slot the ball home from close in. It should have been even better for Sunderland minutes before half time as McDougall’s long range effort again came back off the bar.

HT...Nottingham Forest Ladies 0  vs 1 Sunderland Ladies

The visitors continued to press in the second half and they struck the Forest woodwork once more as a Vicky Greenwell free kick was headed against the post by McDougall. Sunderland did extend their lead in the 61^st minute however as Lucy Staniforth scored direct from a free kick. Nobbs, McDougall and Staniforth went close before Danby cleverly played in McDougall to slot home the third from the edge of the box and kill the game off after 78^th mins.

FT...Nottingham Forest Ladies 0  vs  3 Sunderland Ladies

Sunderland...Laws, Holmes, Bronze, Wilson, Greenwell, Staniforth(Christon), Nobbs, McDougall, Stokes, Danby(Atkinson), Gutteridge.   

The Reserves meanwhile had a convincing 5-1 win at home to Nottingham Forest Reserves, with Sunderland's goals scored by Dani Scarr (2), Autumn Colledge (2) and Kiera Ramshaw.