Sunderland Women maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 victory over Southampton FC Women at St. Mary’s.
Jenna Dear’s 54th-minute goal earned the Lasses the three points, taking them to second in the league.
Mel Reay’s side started the game well, with Katie Kitching bending a shot just past the far post, and Liz Ejupi creating space and firing a shot straight at Kayla Rendell.
A staple of the game, Amy Goddard was called into action, making a brave block to deny the Saints’ shot – the centre back then got her head on the resulting corner to clear the danger.
The home side did find themselves in on goal on a few occasions, with Ella Morris breaking through and shooting wide.
The Black Cats broke the deadlock after fantastic play from Katie Kitching and Mary McAteer down the right wing – the latter whipped in a pinpoint cross to Dear, who calmly slotted her shot into the bottom corner with the outside of her right foot.
The hosts almost equalised minutes later with Morris in on goal again, this time rounding Claudia Moan and rolling a shot inches wide of the post.
In similar fashion to last week against Sheffield United, Southampton increased the pressure towards the end of the game, but the Lasses were resolute, winning every challenge and managing the game well.
McAteer almost killed the game off, rattling the crossbar with a powerful left-footed strike in the 80th minute.
Deep into injury time, Moan pulled off a heroic save, getting down low to deny the Saints a late leveller and secure the win.
After two wins consecutively on the road, Sunderland now prepare for a home fixture against Crystal Palace Women at Eppleton next Sunday.
SAFC Women: Moan, Brown, Goddard, Westrup, Griffiths, Fenton, Kitching (Watson 75’), Dear, McAteer (Beer 84’), Ede (Jones 75’), Ejupi.
Substitutes: Borthwick, McCatty, McInnes.