SAFC Ladies 2-1 Watford Women
Sunderland Ladies claimed their second win on the bounce on Sunday afternoon, as they beat Watford at Eppleton in front of over 500 supporters in the FA Women’s Championship.
Katy Watson opened the scoring in the 65th minute with her first senior goal, with Neve Herron doubling the advantage just three minutes later.
Watford grabbed a goal back in the last minute through Jenna Legg, but the Lasses held on to secure the three points.
Mel Reay’s team were forced into a very early change as Emily Scarr suffered a head injury just seconds after kick-off, with Jessica Brown coming on to replace her.
Maria Farrugia had the first real chance of the game after a threaded through ball from Abbey Joice, but the latter’s left-footed shot was straight at Watford’s Georgie Ferguson.
After a quiet end to the first half, the Lasses started the second strongly, and Herron fired a long-ranged shot towards goal, but the Watford ‘keeper was on hand again.
The Lasses found a breakthrough as Farrugia’s shot was parried by the ‘keeper, and Watson latched onto the loose ball and fired home a great finish into the far corner – her first league goal for the club.
Minutes later, a whipped corner from Emma Kelly found Herron who leapt highest and looped a header into the top corner for the second of the game.
Kelly and Herron combined from a corner again in the 75th minute, but this time the header was blocked by the Watford defence.
Farrugia almost made it three after doing well to create space for herself on two occasions in the box, but one shot went past the post and the other was headed off the line.
Legg’s injury-time goal for Watford meant a nervy end to the half, but the Lasses controlled the game and claimed the win.
Attention now turns to next week’s home fixture as the Lasses host Coventry United, Reay’s side searching for a third successive victory.
SAFC LADIES: Moan, Beer, McCatty, Towers, Mullen, Herron, Kelly © (McInnes 83’), Joice (Ramshaw 83’), Scarr (Brown 3’, Griffiths 58’), Manders (Watson 58’), Farrugia (Blakey 83’).
Subs not used: Cowling, Boyes.