Sunderland Women’s final game of the 2022-23 season ended in a narrow defeat at Eppleton against Blackburn Rovers Ladies.
Megan Hornby scored the only goal of the game 20 minutes in as the visitors took the three points back to Lancashire.
The Lasses started off brightly, with the first chance coming from a corner from Emily Scarr, with Neve Herron heading over the bar at the back post.
A minute later, Scarr forced a good stop from Safia Middleton-Patel. Jessica Brown kept the ball alive and into the box, but Danielle Brown’s shot was dealt with.
Shortly after another chance from Herron from a corner, Blackburn broke the deadlock against the run of play, stealing the ball just in front of the Sunderland defence and Hornby finished her chance past Claudia Moan.
Mel Reay’s side threatened at the end of the first half, with Katy Watson cutting on her right foot and smashing a dangerous effort towards the corner, forcing a save from the goalkeeper.
Minutes before half-time, a brilliant passing move down the right fell to Liz Ejupi in the box, whose shot went over the bar.
After a tentative start to the second half, Sunderland controlled possession again. Louise Griffiths almost marked her 100th appearance with a superb left-footed curling effort that went just past the far post.
A double change was made, with Tyler Dodds and Libbi McInnes entering the fray, both of whom caused problems for Blackburn.
Dodds expertly beat her marker down the right and got a low cross in, with Abby Holmes latching onto the ball and firing over.
With a minute to go, Grace Ede whipped a potent cross into the box, finding Griffiths, but her shot was saved.
Despite a threatening performance, the Lasses couldn’t find the goal. Attentions will now be turning to preparations for next season as the team will begin their hybrid playing model.
SAFC Women: Moan, Griffiths, McCatty, Herron, Holmes, D. Brown, Joice ©, J. Brown (Dodds 64’), Scarr (Ede 77’), Watson (McInnes 64’), Ejupi.
Substitutes: Cowling, Morgan, McPartlan, Kelly, Westrup, Beer.