Sunderland striker Koren seals smash-and-grab win at Reading

Simona Koren pounced to score the only goal of the game as Sunderland opened their FA Women's Super League campaign with a 1-0 victory at Reading.
Simona KorenSimona Koren
Simona Koren

It was very much a smash-and-grab for the visitors, who had just three shots on goal all game, as their defence absorbed plenty of pressure from the Royals who could not find a way through.

Reading began the game on the front foot and went close when Anke Preuss did well to hold on to a low free-kick by Netherlands international Mandy Van Den Berg.

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But Sunderland were gifted the lead in the sixth minute when Mary Earps miskicked after receiving a back-pass from Van Den Berg, giving Koren an empty net to score.

The Royals huffed and puffed after falling behind, but the lively Lauren Bruton forced a smothering save from Preuss before sending a superb 30-yard effort just over the bar.

Bruton was denied by Preuss again just before half-time after she had been played in by Remi Allen and was thwarted once more in the early minutes of the second half.

A stretching Allen then shot over from Molly Bartrip’s excellent cross as Reading turned up the heat, but the Black Cats’ defence continued to hold firm.

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The hosts’ frustrations went on, as substitute Rachel Furness lifted a shot over after Bartrip’s corner fell her way on an afternoon were it just would not go in for them, as Sunderland claimed a hard-earned opening-day win.

Reading (4-3-3): Mary Earps, Molly Bartrip, Kirsty Pearce, Mandy Van Den Berg, Rachel Rowe, Jade Moore, Fara Williams, Remi Allen, Lauren Bruton, Kirsty Linnet, Brooke Chaplen. Substitutes: Rachel Furness for Chaplen 69. Substitutes not used: Harriett Scott, Anna Green, Grace Moloney, Sophie O’Rourke, Georgia Clifford

Bookings: Bartrip 44, Pearce 90

Sunderland (3-4-1-2): Anke Preuss, Ellie Stewart, Victoria Williams, Hayley Sharp, Zaneta Wyne, Dominique Bruinenberg, Kasia Lipka, Kylla Sjoman, Lucy Staniforth, Abbey Joice, Simona Koren. Substitutes: Danielle Brown for Koren 73. Substitutes not used: Rachel Laws, Anna Young, Bridget Galloway, Mollie Lambert

Bookings: Williams 76

Referee: Stacey Pearson

Att: 502