Sunderland Women 1 Nottingham Forest Women 2
Sunderland Women suffered a disappointing defeat in their opening game of the new season in the FA Women's Premier League.
The Lady Black Cats dominated the first half but did not make the most of their chances, and were made to pay when Forest snatched victory after the break.
Sunderland started the match by putting Forest under heavy pressure and after five minutes Sophie Williams hit the bar, with Ellie Christon firing the rebound just over.
Lucy Bronze then split the visitors' defence as she played a ball through to Williams, but the ball was cleared.
Sunderland continued to search for the opening goal as Christon's long-range effort skimmed the outside of the post. A cross from the left then reached Abby Holmes at the far post but her effort went just wide.
The opening goal came on 20 minutes as Demi Stokes hit a shot from 35 yards that flew over the keeper's head and dipped into the net.
Kelly McDougall and Jordan Nobbs then both had shots from distance that went just wide.
Sunderland continued to create chances as a Williams cross found Natalie Gutteridge but her shot was smothered by the on-rushing Forest keeper.
The visitors only threatened just before the break but Lucy Bronze made a good block after an acrobatic save from Rachael Laws.
Forest equalised at the start of the second half as a long-range free-kick was dropped by Laws and headed in by Suzanne Davies.
Sunderland went in search of a second goal with Stokes and Holmes both heading wide from good positions.
And the hosts were made to pay when Forest snatched the lead. Again Sunderland failed to clear and Beth Bailey finished from close range.
Bronze and Nobbs tried to inspire a revival with some solo runs but Forest held on for an unlikely victory.
Sunderland: Laws, Holmes, Bronze, Wilson, Devine, McDougall, Nobbs, Stokes, Gutteridge, Williams (Ramshaw), Christon (Round). Subs not used: Alderson, Chisholm.
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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