Women's Report: Sunderland 1-0 Saints

Just like in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup clash two months prior, it was goalless at half-time after a well-fought first half.

The hosts took the lead early in the second half through Mary McAteer’s powerful strike, which proved to be the difference as Saints pushed for an equaliser that didn’t arrive.

Ella Morris was handed her first start after returning from injury, playing further forward in midfield as Saints lined up with two banks of four and a strike partnership of Molly Pike and Katie Wilkinson.

Molly Pike in action (Photos: Isabelle Field)

Both sides looked up for the contest from the first minute, with intensity and purpose in both team’s early play.

Sunderland’s first opening came from a deep free-kick that was headed goalwards by Brianna Westrup, but Kayla Rendell comfortably gathered as the offside flag was raised.

Saints’ first attempt also came from a header, Wilkinson met a Jemma Purfield corner but flicked the ball over the crossbar.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side began to get into their stride going forward, and should have opened the scoring through Molly Pike.

Alice Griffiths found Wilkinson, who slipped her strike partner in behind the defence but the eventual shot from Pike was dragged wide of the post.

A neat passage of play from Sunderland followed but Paige Peake blocked the final pass into the area from Emily Scarr, putting an end to a dangerous move.

The best chance of the half fell to Ella Morris after another slick Saints move; Wilkinson released Pike on the right, who cut the ball back to Morris and her volleyed shot was deflected just wide.

Ella Morris strikes at goal.

At the other end, Purfield made a vital challenge to keep the scores goalless as she slid in to deny Mollie Rouse a clear shot on goal from close range.

The half ended level, but it didn’t stay that way for much longer after the restart, as Sunderland broke the deadlock in the 49th minute.

A cross from the right reached McAteer at the far post, who had time to set herself and power a shot from the top of the box that Rendell could only push into the top corner.

The hosts were boosted by their opener and almost had a second when Grace Ede connected with a corner, but Rendell got a strong hand to keep it out.

It took until around the hour mark for Saints to wrestle back some spells of possession as they searched for an equaliser; an inswinging corner from Purfield was tipped away by Claudia Moan as the delivery was headed all the way in.

The best chance for an equaliser fell to Pike with just over ten minutes to play as she met a loose ball at a corner with a powerful strike that was well saved by Moan.

Saints piled on the pressure in the closing stages with their hosts forced back, but a dramatic equaliser didn't materialise and Sunderland held on to strengthen their place at the top of the table.

Sunderland: Moan, Scarr, McAteer (Ejupi 70), Kitching (Watson 87), Fenton, Goddard, Ede, Rouse, Beer, Dear, Westrup (captain).

Subs not used: Borthwick, McCatty, McInnes, Jones, Cassap, Corbyn, West.

Goals: McAteer 49.

Saints: Rendell, Collett (Milne 71), Mott, Peake, Purfield, Morris (Lloyd-Smith 71), Griffiths, Kendall (captain), Primus (Thompson 84), Pike, Wilkinson.

Subs not used: Howard, Haaland, Wynne, Pharoah.

Yellow Cards: Primus 40, Peake 58.

Attendance: 738.