Sunderland Ladies out to regain winning ways at Yeovil

The Lady Black Cats head to Huish Park in good spirits despite last Saturday’s 6-0 defeat to Chelsea on their home debut at Mariners Park in South Shields.

That made it one win from two following a 1-0 opening weekend triumph at Reading.

“We’re looking forward to Sunday,” said Reay.

“Huish Park is a great ground to play at – we had a very good 2-1 win there last season.

“We will be looking to carry on the good things we have done this season.

“Last week was a case of mixed emotions.

“We played well in the first half – we set ourselves up to deal with Chelsea’s system and, defensively, we were very well organised.

“The only first-half goal came from a piece of Fran Kirby magic and while Chelsea had a lot of the ball we were still in it at half-time and we were confident we’d get a chance or two.

“But we just ran out of gas in the second half. They are a very good and fit side and we don’t have a great deal of strength in depth.

“We’ll take the positives from Saturday and work on the areas that didn’t go so well.”

Yeovil have drawn a blank thus far, losing 4-0 to Manchester City and 1-0 to their nearest rivals, Bristol City.

But, despite their Spring Series victory in Somerset, Reay is taking nothing for granted this weekend.

“We are under no illusions about Sunday,” she said. “Yeovil will be smarting a bit from losing to Bristol and they will view this game as their chance to get their first points.

“We’ll be prepared and focused on executing our game-plan.

“The spirit is good in the squad and we are looking forward to it.”

Reay hopes to have Keira Ramshaw back in the squad after the forward was ruled out of the opening two WSL1 matches with concussion sustained in a pre-season friendly at Sheffield.

There is a doubt over summer signing Simona Koren.

The striker missed out last week because of a damaged big toe, with the Lady Black Cats assessing the 24-year-old Austrian.