Sunderland Women fell to a second successive defeat against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, with the Black Cats conceding late in a 1-0 defeat in front of a record crowd at St. James’ Park.
Some 38,502 fans turned out to set a new high watermark for a Women’s Championship gate, smashing the record previously set in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season.
Mel Reay’s side struggled to make their mark on a tense contest on Tyneside, and were ultimately undone by a 78th minute strike from Newcastle substitute Shania Hayles. That goal was enough to seal a second consecutive victory for the Magpies over their local rivals, with Becky Langley’s squad having also taken three points on Wearside back in October.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, Newcastle started the game brighter, going close through Beth Lumsden during the early exchanges. The Magpies would spend much of the first half searching in vain for an opener, while for their part, Sunderland defended well, but were limited to fleeting opportunities, largely against the run of play.
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The game resumed in much the same pattern after the interval, and Newcastle’s pressure would eventually pay off with 12 minutes left on the clock as striker Emily Murphy played through Hayles, who slotted away her chance assuredly.
Here, Jason Jones rates each Sunderland player as the Black Cats took on Newcastle United in the Women’s Championship on Sunday afternoon:
5. Jessica Brown - 6
Faced an unenviable task keeping the lively Freya Gregory quiet, and was caught out on a couple of occasions in the early stages of the contest. | Getty Images
6. Natasha Fenton - 7
Typically tidy in possession, but found herself at a numerical disadvantage more than once in the centre of the park. Broke up play well when required for the most part, and went close with a header early on, but was skipped past too easily on a couple of occasions too. Replaced by Jenna Dear. | Getty Images
7. Keira Flannery - 6
Put a real shift in in the engine room. Committed in the tackle throughout, but was dispossessed in the build-up to Newcastle's goal. | Getty Images
8. Mary Corbyn - 7
Positive in her running out on the left but struggled to create much of note. Replaced by Louise Griffiths. | Getty Images