Eve Blakey's hat-trick hands Sunderland Ladies third round FA Cup clash as fans react to new hero

And with the game taking place behind closed doors at the Academy of Light, we take you through everything you may have missed as Mel Reay’s side returned to competitive action:

How did the match between Sunderland Ladies and Sheffield FC unfold?

Goals from Keira Ramshaw and Holly Manders plus an Eve Blakey hat-trick were enough to hand Sunderland a 5-1 win.

Star midfielder Maria Farrugia was not involved and is still in Malta due to COVID-19 restrictions but there were starts for Abbey Joice and Faye Mullen.

It was all Sunderland from the get-go with captain Ramshaw netting for the hosts just two minutes into the game from the edge of the area.

Manders doubled the scoreline when she connected with Emily Scarr’s corner on the 28-minute mark.

Blakey then bagged her first goal for Sunderland Ladies two minutes shy of half-time following good work from Ramshaw to give Reay’s side a three-goal advantage at the interval.

Jessica Brown replaced Joice for the second half but the visitors started well and managed to peg Sunderland back in the 56th minute.

But Blakey netted her second to restore the Black Cats’ three-goal advantage soon after with a volley.

Manders made way for Libbi McInnes not long after Sunderland’s fourth with Scarr being replaced by Emily Hutchinson with 15 minutes to play.

Blakey then netted her third and cemented a hat-trick from the penalty spot as Sunderland Ladies ran out 5-1 winners in the end against Sheffield FC.

What happens next for Sunderland Ladies in the FA Cup?

Sunderland Ladies will face Burnley away in the third round on April 11.

If they win again, third-tier Sunderland Ladies could face a glamour tie against top-division Manchester United at home in the fourth round.

That tie will be played on April 18.

However, the Lasses won’t play in the league again this season after the FAWNL was curtailed early for the second campaign in a row.

But Sunderland have also supporters that they want Reay's side to return to the FA Women's Championship 'as quickly as possible'.

What sort of prize money has the Ladies side netted Sunderland after the win against Sheffield FC?

Sunderland will benefit financially from the victory against Sheffield FC, with winners of second-round ties netting £1,000.

Indeed, the Lady Black Cats could net the club another £1,250 if they win in the next round, with £315 on offer to losers of third round ties.

How did Sunderland Ladies supporters react to the win?

Sunderland Ladies fans were understandably delighted at the result with supporters taking to social media to congratulate their team.

Here’s how YOU reacted to the 5-1 victory over Sheffield FC in the FA Cup on Twitter:

@samthubron3: “Well done Lasses!”

@Squealer66: “Brilliant @evegraceblakey. Excellent result after the long lay off.”

@deangt: “Gerrrinnnnn. Well done the lasses. WE CAN DO THIS.”

@lilybogan09: “Well done lasses!!”

@RokerReport: “What a result! #HawayTheLasses.”

@SAFCsharpy: “Well done ladies.”

@Fieldo100: “Great result”

@WeAreWearside: “Well done.”

@GinHume: “Happy Easter.”

@Tyneside_NUWFC: “Get in @SAFCLadies, @mel_anie_7 and @Keys_Safc94”

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