SAFC Ladies 2-2 Bristol City Women
Sunderland Ladies’ season came to a dramatic conclusion as they played out an exciting 2-2 draw with Bristol City Women at Eppleton.
Keira Ramshaw opened the scoring for the Lasses in the first half, with Bristol City then taking a 2-1 lead in the second half through Melissa Johnson and Ffion Morgan.
Substitute Jessica Brown finished off a brilliant move in the 78th minute to make it 2-2.
Mel Reay’s side started strongly and scored the first of the game in the 14th minute, as Emma Kelly’s free-kick caused problems for City’s Sophie Whitehouse, and Ramshaw was in the right place to head home the rebound.
The Lasses looked a threat on the counter all game, and Emily Scarr found Kelly this time, with the latter cutting inside and curling a left-footed effort past the post.
The visitors had a flurry of chances to level right at the end of the half, but the defence held strong and Allison Cowling made a great stop to tip a shot past the post.
The Robins equalised early in the half through a header from Johnson, and Morgan gave City the lead just over 10 minutes later.
Sunderland fought back and after some brilliant interchange of play down the left flank from Holly Manders and Scarr, and the latter’s cross found Jessica Brown whose header found the back of the net.
A quick counter again in the last minute from the Lasses almost proved to be the winner, as Kelly broke and played the ball across to Manders, who controlled well, but her shot was blocked and the points were shared.
SAFC Ladies ended a very productive season in ninth place on 24 points, with plenty of positives to build on going into their second season in the FA Women’s Championship.
SAFC LADIES: Cowling, Beer, McCatty, Herron, Griffiths, Kelly, Ramshaw ©, Joice, McInnes (Manders 73’), Ede (Brown 73’), Scarr.
Subs not used: Moan, Mullen, Boyes, Blakey, Watson.