Blackburn Rovers Ladies 2-1 Sunderland AFC Ladies
Sunderland Ladies suffered a defeat on the road against Blackburn Rovers Ladies at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium in the FA Women’s Championship.
Saffron Jordan scored in the first half as Blackburn held the lead for the first half, and Annabel Blanchard doubled the host’s lead in the 65th minute.
Holly Manders grabbed a goal back for the Lasses in the 68th minute.
Both sides struggled for clear-cut chances early in the first half, but Blackburn found a breakthrough as Jordan’s shot beat Claudia Moan.
Emily Scarr then swung a corner in minutes before the end of the first half, and Neve Herron met the cross with a header, but it went over the bar.
Keira Ramshaw and Maria Farrugia both had chances in injury time, but neither shot could test the Blackburn goalkeeper.
Blanchard got Blackburn’s second 65 minutes in as she created space and fired a shot past Moan.
Substitute Holly Manders impacted the game in swift fashion as a cross came in and landed into the box, and Manders’ shot flew past Alex Brooks.
The Lasses were awarded a penalty two minutes into stoppage time, but Brooks got down well to deny Ramshaw a goal from the spot.
The Lasses now have a week to prepare for another away game as they travel to Sheffield United.
SAFC Ladies: Moan, Brown, McCatty, Towers, Griffiths, Herron (Manders 67’), Kelly, Ramshaw ©, Joice, Scarr, Farrugia.
Subs not used: Cowling, Boyes, Mullen, Blakey, Ede, McInnes, Watson, Burt.