Sunderland Ladies 3 Reading Ladies 0: Match report, Lady Black Cats into FA Cup semis

Sunderland Ladies are a step closer to Wembley after sweeping aside Reading at Hetton to reach the semi-finals.
Carlton Fairweather: Semi-final dateCarlton Fairweather: Semi-final date
Carlton Fairweather: Semi-final date

Beth Mead and Tori Williams scored first half goals for Carlton Fairweather's side in this quarter-final with Brooke Chaplen putting the seal on it with the last kick of the tie.

Sunderland had the better of the first half and could have been two up before they found the net.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mead was denied by Reading keeper Mary Earps when through one-on-one with the England international.

Two minutes later, Mead sent Brooke Chaplen through but the ex-Everton star shot wide.

But when the goal arrived it was a beauty. Lucy Staniforth picked out fellow new signing Krystle Johnston with a stunning 50-yard pass. The wide midfielder delivered an inch-perfect cross for MEAD to convert.

And Staniforth had an assist for the second when her free-kick from 35 yards was sept home by WILLIAMS.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Reading wasted a glorious chance just after the break when Nia Jones missed an open goal from Helen Ward's cross.

Earps came to Reading's rescue again on 54 minutes when Abbey Joice played Mead through, the 2015 WSL's top scorer opting to go with her weaker left foot, with the keeper making a great save at her near post.

But Reading remained a danger and Staniforth saved her side with a headed clearance off the line from a corner.

The Royals continued to threaten and it required a good challenge by Rachel Furness to block a 64th-minute Jones shot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Reading were refusing to go out quietly and Jones shot just wide of Rachael Laws' left post after a neat turn on edge of area and the Cats goalie made a great save soon after from Helen Ward.

Sunderland had the final say when Mead played in CHAPLEN, whose finish past Earps from 10 yards was emphatic.s

Sunderland: Laws, Holmes, Bannon, Williams, Sjoman, Furness, Chaplen, Staniforth (McDougall 81), Joice (Ramshaw 69), Johnston (Roche 75), Mead

Unused Subs: Olsen, Potts.

Goal: Mead 36, Williams 41, Chaplen 90

Bookings: Johnston 71, Holmes 78

Reading: Earps, Jane, Bartrip, McGee, Rowe; Hines (Estcourt 25), Roche, Bruton, Ward, Jones, Follis (Scott 36)

Subs: Moloney, Cox, Walkley

Referee: Shaun Hudson

Attendance: 407