Sunderland AFC Ladies 2-0 Charlton Athletic Women
SAFC Ladies a secured a huge victory over Charlton Athletic Women at Eppleton in the FA Women’s Championship.
Two second-half goals from Neve Herron earned the three points as the Lasses played out a well-deserved win.
Mel Reay’s side had the first big opportunity six minutes in as a corner came in and Grace McCatty met it with a volley and struck the top of the bar.
Charlton responded a few minutes later with a chance from Katie Robinson, but Claudia Moan held the shot well.
Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in a very combative first half, and the game was all square going into the second half.
Charlton came out strong in the second half, but Sunderland defended well, showing their resilience by winning headers and last-ditch tackles to keep it at 0-0.
The Lasses eventually opened the scoring as Charlton blocked two original efforts on goal, and Herron ran onto the loose ball and slotted home her first of the match.
The away side did respond with some good chances to eqaulise, but Moan was on form to make some key saves to deny the Addicks a chance of getting back into the game, most notably from Sophie Quirk who found herself in on goal but the Lasses ‘keeper stood strong.
After coming off the bench late into the half, Holly Manders’ good work down the left side was rewarded when she was brought down in the box, and a penalty was awarded to Sunderland.
Herron calmly stepped up and placed her penalty into the bottom corner to net her second of the game and gave the Lasses a cushion as they held onto to an impressive three points.
The Lasses will carry the momentum from that game into next week as they prepare for an encounter on the road against Blackburn Rovers Ladies.
SAFC Ladies: Moan, Brown, McCatty, Towers, Griffiths, Herron, Kelly (McInnes 84’), Ramshaw © (Manders 67’), Joice, Scarr, Farrugia (Watson 84’).
Subs not used: Cowling, Ede, Burt, Boyes, Blakey, Mullen.