Carlton Fairweather wants Sunderland Ladies to turn draws into victories

It is hardly panic stations at the Lady Black Cats after only one defeat in the first four WSL1 matches, the sole loss coming against Manchester City.

But three of the fixtures have ended in draws and Fairweather wants to turn single points into three points, starting tonight against the 2014 champs at the Eppleton CW ground (kick-off 7.30pm).

“Things are ticking along OK,” said the head coach, whose side are seventh in the table.

“We need that first win to give us a lift, get the monkey off our backs.

“In terms of the league, we have played all right and given a good account of ourselves and got some points on the board.

“But we need to build on that now and look to score that elusive win.”

Sunderland will start marginal favourites in Hetton as they stage a quick return fixture against the Reds.

The Lady Black Cats fought back from a goal down to draw 2-2 at Widnes last month, though Fairweather was frustrated it was not a win.

“Football is down to fine margins a lot of the time,” he said.

“We should have had a penalty at 2-2 which would have given us the opportunity to make it 3-2.

“Everyone in the ground thought it was a pen, apart from the ref.

“We played a pretty good game at their place and tonight will be a tough match too.

“Liverpool are an excellent and established club, with good players and seasoned internationals.”

Fairweather is looking to see his side make and take their chances this evening.

“We are probably creating enough, but we need to be a bit more clinical, if we do that then I’m confident results will follow.”

Sunderland welcome back defender Hayley Sharp this evening after missing the 1-1 draw at Reading last time out while midfielder Krystle Johnson has recovered from a back problem.

Defenders Kylla Sjoman and Rachel Pitman are the only definite absentees after having knee ops.

Fairweather was knocked out by the size of the support in the last home game with a 1,400 crowd at Eppleton and he wants to give then something to shout about tonight.

“The support was fantastic,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll have another good turn out.”