Blackburn Rovers Ladies 1-0 SAFC Women
Sunderland Women fell short at Bamber Bridge as they were beaten by Blackburn Rovers Ladies in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
Rovers’ Ellie Leek scored an 83-minute winner to claim the three points for the home side.
Mel Reay’s side threatened first in the first half, as Libbi McInnes’ lofted through pass found Neve Herron, but goalkeeper Shanell Salgado rushed out quickly to smother the shot.
The Lasses continued to create opportunities, this time from a short corner, with McInnes driving into the box and cutting the ball back, with Herron’s resultant shot going over the bar.
The hosts came out stronger in the second half and 65 minutes in, a Blackburn free kick was blocked by Holly Manders, with Claudia Moan making a great save with her feet to deny the rebound.
Blackburn almost opened the scoring in the 77th minute after almost scrambling the ball in, but Herron was in the right place to clear the ball off the line.
The deadlock was broken shortly after as Leek lifted the ball over Moan and into the net.
Huge Sunderland penalty shouts were waved away late on as Herron’s volley seemed to be blocked by the hand of the Blackburn player, but the appeals were to no avail.
The Lasses now have a two-week break to recover and prepare for their next fixture against Lewes at Eppleton.
SAFC WOMEN: Moan, Holmes, McCatty, Westrup, Griffiths (Gears 88’), Herron, Brown, McInnes (Ede 68’), Kelly © (J. Brown 85’), Manders (Watson 68’), Scarr.
Subs not used: Cowling, Beer, Dodds.