Chelsea Women 5-0 SAFC Women
Sunderland Women put in a spirited display but were defeated by Chelsea in the quarter final of the Continental Tyres League Cup at Kingsmeadow.
Sjoeke Nusken scored a brace to give Chelsea a two-goal lead at half-time.
A goal right after the break from Aggie Beever-Jones and a double from Fran Kirby meant the Lasses’ Conti Cup journey was over.
Chelsea had early opportunities to test Sunderland, with Mia Fishel hitting the bar and Eve Perisset forcing a save from Claudia Moan.
The 22-minute mark saw Mel Reay’s side carve out their first chance, with Natasha Fenton’s cross eventually finding Jenna Dear, who hooked the ball back across to the back post, but Brianna Westrup’s header went just over.
The hosts took the lead five minutes later with Kirby’s cross finding Nusken at the back post to head past Moan.
Just minutes before the break, Nusken doubled her tally with another header finding the back of the net.
Beever-Jones gave Emma Hayes’ side a three-goal advantage just one minute after half-time, rifling her shot into the goal.
The 49th minute saw Dear pick the ball up on the left edge of the box before unleashing a powerful strike towards goal, forcing Zećira Mušović to tip it over.
Substitute Mary McAteer almost had a quick impact in the 63rd minute during a strong spell from the Black Cats, driving through on goal and attempting to square the ball to Dear, but the pass was just behind the midfielder.
Kirby scored her brace in the final 10 minutes of the game as the home side claimed one spot in the semi-finals.
The Lasses now have full focus on the league and next host Lewes at Eppleton on February 18.
SAFC Women: Moan, Brown, Goddard, McCatty, Westrup ©, Ede (McCatty 58’), Fenton (Jones 77’), Rouse (McInnes 90’), Dear, Ejupi (Watson 90’), Scarr.
Subs not used: Borthwick, Corbyn, West, Boothroyd.