Sunderland Women gained a point on the opening day of the 2023-24 season with a goalless draw against London City Lionesses at Eppleton.
The Lasses came out the blocks quickly, creating their first opportunity in the opening minute – Ejupi’s pass found Kitching who shot early and straight at the London City goalkeeper.
Mel Reay’s side were dominant in possession in the first half, with kitching threatening again 25 minutes in, latching onto Jessica Brown’s pass and fizzing a low cross straight across the box, but no Sunderland player could connect.
Natasha Fenton’s 36th-minute free-kick was lobbed to the back post, finding Brianna Westrup, but her header was caught by Grace Moloney.
Sunderland continued to try and probe the visiting back line, with Brown’s cross finding Emily Scarr – the lay off to Dear was fired just wide of the near post.
Katy Watson was brought on in the 53rd minute and soon created a chance, rounding the goalkeeper and passing to Scarr, whose shot went just over the bar.
A constant threat throughout for the Black Cats, Kitching received the ball on the edge of the box and fired an effort towards the top corner, but it sailed just wide.
The last minute of the game almost saw a winner for Sunderland, with Watson using her pace to get in behind and go one-on-one with Moloney, forcing a good stop from the ‘keeper.
With a positive point on the season opener at home, the Lasses now have two games on the road in a row as they take on Sheffield United then Southampton.
SAFC Women: Moan, Brown, Goddard, Westrup, Griffiths, Kitching, Fenton, Dear (Watson 53’), McAteer (Jones 89'), Scarr (Ede 70'), Ejupi.
Subs not used: Borthwick, Beer, McCatty, McInnes.