Fenton’s goal seals Sunderland’s first win of the season | OneFootball

Sunderland are up and running in this season’s Barclays Women’s Championship after they recorded a 1-0 win over London City Lionesses at The Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground this afternoon.

After a disappointing start to the season, Mel Reay’s side have finally got their first three points on the board with an impressive victory over big-spending London City Lionesses.

The first real chance of the game was created by the visitors in the fifth minute. Kosovare Asllani took a shot from distance but it deflected wide and the corner was subsequently cleared.

As the first half went on, there was little to separate the two sides. Promising London City Lionesses forward, Izzy Goodwin, had the best chance but a mis-kick saw the ball lazily roll into Demi Lambourne’s hands.

Sunderland’s best chance of the half came in the 35th minute from a lovely run through the London City Lionesses defence courtesy of Jessica Brown. Unfortunately, the resulting strike was caught comfortably by Emily Orman.

Frustratingly for the home side, they had the majority of corners in the first half and they will be focused on getting more from those set-pieces going forward. The first half ultimately ended goalless without much concern for either keeper.

The deadlock was finally broken 13 minutes after the restart. Sunderland captain Natasha Fenton saw the ball home following a corner kick.

London City Lionesses immediately went in search of an equaliser but the home side’s defence stayed strong. Taking the lead seemed to give Sunderland their confidence back and the quality of the team started to shine through. The Lady Black Cats almost doubled their lead in the 83rd minute when Mary McAteer’s shot forced Orman into action.

Against the run of play, Asllani’s shot hit the post late on, the Swedish international’s head falling into her hands at the missed opportunity to bring her team level.

In the final moments of the game, Sunderland were awarded a penalty but Emily Scarr couldn’t take advantage. That miss took nothing away from the Wearsiders’ fantastic second half performance which sees the team move into eighth place in the Barclays Women’s Championship table.

Both sides now turn their attention towards Women’s League Cup action in midweek. Sunderland travel to Sheffield United while London City Lionesses go to Southampton.