The game was played with a strong wind, which prevented both teams from playing their normal controlled football. In the first few minutes, a Coventry clearance fell to Kelly McDougall whose shot crashed off the crossbar. Nicola Devine and Vicky Greenwell combined well down the left side which led to a number of Sunderland corners and Gemma Wilson went close heading narrowly over. Sunderland continued to dominate possession but Coventry were dangerous on the break, as Helen Alderson had to be alert to push the ball away. Sunderland took the lead in the 27th minute after a great move down the right, with Abby Holmes, Natalie Gutteridge and Mcdougall combining to thread the ball through for Beth Mead, to outstrip the Coventry defence and coolly slot the ball into the net. The lead did not last long as a mix up in the Sunderland defence allowed Coventry’s Courtney Sweetman-Kirk to run through unchallenged and level the score. The home side went close again just before half time as a fierce shot cannoned off the Sunderland post.

Coventry v Sunderland... Half time 1-1

Sunderland had to reorganise after half time with Sophie Williams replacing Becky Salicki but within 10 minutes of the re-start, they found themselves trailing 3-1, with two glorious strikes from distance by Coventry’s Maz Gauntlett. After the third goal, Sunderland played some of their best football of the game, creating a number of chances with Williams, Mead, Holmes and Rachel Furness all going close. Further substitutions were made as Sunderland tried in vain to rescue the game with Jordan Atkinson and Steph Bannon replacing Keira Ramshaw and Greenwell but Coventry held on for all 3 points.

Coventry v Sunderland... Full Time 3-1

Manager Mick Mulhern spoke after the game... "I'm disappointed to lose the game as all three goals were errors. Our response was pleasing but we were always chasing the game at 3-1 and gave ourselves a mountain to climb. We attacked well enough but we just couldn't convert the chances we created." 

Sunderland: Alderson, Holmes, Salicki (Williams) Wilson, Greenwell (Bannon), Ramshaw (Atkinson), Furness, McDougall, Devine, Gutteridge, Mead.