Sunderland Women maintained the top spot in the Barclays Women’s Championship with a victory over Watford Women at Vicarage Road.
Liz Ejupi opened the scoring in the 58th minute, and Emily Scarr netted a double in 72 and 77 minutes to seal the three points against the Hornets.
The Lasses started well with Mary McAteer breaking and releasing Katie Kitching, who took a touch and fired an effort straight at Beth Howard.
Just past the 30-minute mark, Louise Griffiths’ dangerous cross was headed off the line by Abbie Lafayette. Minutes later, Natasha Fenton’s corner fell to Ejupi, who headed straight at Howard.
Watford made life difficult for the Lasses in the first half and had their own opportunities, with Lafayette’s free-kick sailing past the post, and a header from Carly Johns forcing a stop from Claudia Moan.
After a tentative start to the half, Jessica Brown’s lethal cross dropped in the box, and Ejupi was first to react to head it home.
Mel Reay’s side doubled their lead through Scarr, the striker reacting first after Jenna Dear’s thunderous volley from outside the box rattled the crossbar, and the striker calmly tapped it into the net.
Six minutes after Scarr’s first, Kitching drove into the box to win the Lasses’ first league penalty in 749 days, and the number eight smashed home her second of the game to give the team and unassailable lead.
Sunderland now move into the international break top of the table as we prepare for the last home game of the season against Charlton on April 21 at Eppleton.
SAFC Women: Moan, Brown, Goddard, Westrup, Griffiths, Fenton, Dear, Kitching, McAteer (Jones 70’), Scarr, Ejupi (Watson 70’).
Subs not used: Borthwick, Ede, McInnes, Beer, McCatty.