Sheffield United Women 1-4 SAFC Ladies
Sunderland Ladies secured a brilliant victory on the road against Sheffield United at the Technique Stadium in the FA Women’s Championship.
Sophie Bradley-Auckland opened the scoring for the home side, but Emily Scarr scored two goals in the first half to turn it around.
Goals from Maria Farrugia and Emma Kelly in the second half ensured the Lasses comfortably claimed the three points.
Sunderland almost took the lead in the third minute as Farrugia struck the post after some good build-up play.
The Sunderland forward continued to threaten as she got the ball on the edge of the box, turned and unleashed a strike towards goal, forcing a good save from the keeper.
The Blades took the lead in the 21st minute as Bradley-Auckland latched onto the end of a Lucy Watson cross and scored past Claudia Moan.
Mel Reay’s side responded minutes later as great build-up play once again eventually found Scarr, who managed to lob the ‘keeper and find the top corner.
Scarr scored her second of the game 39 minutes in as Farrugia stole the ball on the halfway line and played the former in, who calmly picked her spot and slotted her shot into the bottom corner.
The Lasses tightened their grip on the game 54 minutes in as Neve Herron lofted a long ball behind the home defence, and Farrugia won the race and lobbed the ‘keeper for her first goal of the season.
Moan made some important saves all through the game to deny Sheffield United, with a big stop in the 67th minute to thwart a Sheffield United header.
Sunderland sealed an impressive victory in the 87th minute as Grace Ede’s shot forced a parry from the ‘keeper, and Kelly was on hand to score the rebound for her own first of the season.
The Lasses now have a week to build on this performance as they prepare for a clash with Watford at Eppleton to round off March.
SAFC Ladies: Moan, Beer, McCatty, Towers, Mullen, Herron, Kelly ©, Joice, Scarr (Ede 77’), Manders (Brown 72’), Farrugia (Blakey 85’).
Subs not used: Cowling, Boyes, McInnes, Watson, Burt.