Sunderland Women moved to the top of the Barclays Women’s Championship with a victory over Blackburn Rovers Women at the Lancashire FA County Ground.
Katie Kitching scored a second-half free kick to open the scoring.
Emily Scarr scored her third goal in two league games with a 63rd-minute goal to secure the three points.
A tightly-contested affair in the opening stages, with Mollie Rouse having the first opportunity to test the goalkeeper – her shirt from range was tipped wide.
Megan Hornby threatened for the home side, but her shot could only find the side netting.
Two minutes after the second half, Sunderland were awarded a free kick on the left side of the box. Kitching caught the goalkeeper off guard, finding the far bottom corner to net her third free kick of the season in all competitions.
The Lasses had a goal ruled out five minutes later, with Kitching’s cross brilliantly headed home by Amy Goddard, but it was disallowed for offside.
Scarr doubled the lead, pressing the goalkeeper who smashed a clearance off the Sunderland forward and straight into the back of the net.
Mel Reay’s side managed the game well in the final stages, and almost netted a third with Liz Ejupi meeting Fenton’s corner, but it was blocked on the line.
The Black Cats have now won both league games in 2024, and are back on the road next week as they travel to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to face Reading.
SAFC Women: Moan, Brown, Goddard, Westrup ©, Griffiths, Fenton, Rouse, Kitching (Dear 69’), McAteer, Jones (Ejupi 78’), Scarr.
Subs not used: Borthwick, McInnes, McCatty, Beer, Corbyn, Ede, Watson.