A very different derby experience when I went to Sunderland on Sunday | OneFootball

The first ever Stadium of Light women’s team Sunderland v Newcastle United derby took place on Sunday.

With the match taking place in front of a record Sunderland home crowd of 15,387.

Around 3,500 of those were Newcastle United fans housed in the north east corner.

Although this was a derby game, something was massively different…

Black and White clad fans were seen walking around the stadium prior to kick off without a hint of trouble.

United manager Becky Langley made several changes to the side from the previous weekend, with Charlotte Potts returning to defence for the injured Deanna Cooper, Liv Watt coming in at right-back, Jamaican international Shania Hayles playing up front down the middle and Beth Lumsden returning to the line up on the left wing.

Sunderland stuck with their regular line up, which has seen them take points off the top two sides in the division in recent weeks, and it was they who got off to the better start.

Just 2 minutes in and Jenna Dear found Mary McAteer down the left. The Wales International rounded Claudia Moan, but the former Sunderland goalie recovered to make the save.

Newcastle eased into the game and soon after Rachel Furness headed Beth Lumsden’s corner narrowly wide of the far post. Lumsden, who signed in January from Portsmouth, has been an integral player since she arrived. This may have only been her third start of the season but it was the second time she has been without doubt the player of the game.

The winger swung in a free-kick from wide on the right on 20 minutes to find Furness at the back post but the defender couldn’t keep her header on target.

Then Lumsden decided to take matters into her own hands. Cutting in from the left she fired home high into the net for what was a great finish.

The Newcastle United fans made themselves heard, with cheers reverberating around the Stadium. With the lead, some of the tension was gone and the chants started to flow, ‘They get their hot dog sausage in a burger bun! Being a particular favourite. Sunderland were silenced, although they did reserve most of their efforts in booing former goalie Claudia Moan after she moved to Newcastle over the summer.

Either side of the goal, Sunderland had a couple of chances. First their striker Eleanor Dale flicked the ball onto Katie Kitching who was in space outside the area. However, the latter’s left foot shot was deflected towards Moan. Then Newcastle-born Emily Scarr played Dale through but her left-footed shot was saved after Moan closed down the angle to smother the chance.

Newcastle made a change at half time with midfielder Hannah Greenwood coming on to replace Furness in the back line. Any concern that would stem Newcastle’s rhythm was quickly forgotten as Lumsden made it 2-0 a couple of minutes in. This one came direct from a corner as her left-footed in-swinger was palmed into the net at the back post by Sunderland goalie Demi Lambourne.

The Lady Mags were very much in control now and looked comfortable but Sunderland did start to work their way back into the game. Defender Jessie Stapleton met a corner with a header but sent it just over the bar, while there was a genuine shout for a penalty after one player had her legs taken away.

Beth Lumsden was still dictating the Newcastle surges forward though. A great pass from the outside of her foot sent Shania Hayles away, but the striker’s shot was saved by Lambourne.

Newcastle’s team have several Sunderland-born players, along with those who have played on Wearside prior to joining the club. Likewise, Sunderland have Newcastle born players in their line-up, with some that were born on Tyneside, and it would be a Black and White fan who scored the next goal.

Sunderland captain Tasha Fenton sent a deep cross into the box, for Emily Scarr to tap home. Cue delirium in the home end with the (not so Roker) Roar firing up the Sunderland players. It made for a nervy final 12 minutes, especially when the ball dropped to Jenna Dear on the edge of the area, but thankfully she fired over.

Just before that Newcastle did have a chance to seal the win as they looked to catch the home side on the break. Demi Stokes being denied from close range by Lambourne after a surging run up the left flank.

With 7 minutes stoppage time added, Sunderland still felt they could rescue a point. They very nearly did when substitute Katy Watson was sent through on goal but Greenwood was on hand to deal with the threat and Newcastle closed out the game for their derby win.

Credit has to go to both sets of fans, with most behaving impeccably. I’m sure they can’t wait for the return fixture at St James’ Park in the new year. As we reach the quarter mark of the season, Newcastle move to 10 points from five games, with just 3 points covering the top six!

Final score:

Sunderland 1 Newcastle United 2

Newcastle United:

Claudia Moan, Liv Watt, Charlotte Potts, Rachel Furness (Hannah Greenwood 46), Demi Stokes, Elysia Boddy, Amber-Keegan Stobbs (Lois Joel 86), Jasmine McQuade, Isabella Sibley (Katie Barker 70), Shania Hayles (Sophie Haywood 74), Beth Lumsden

Grace Donnelly, Hannah Hawkins, Amy Andrews, Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson