SAFC Women report – Sunderland left lacking against London City Lionesses
Sunderland’s women produced a lackluster attacking performance as a London City goal in each half gave them the three points.
After an uneventful opening half hour, Amy Rodgers beat Claudia Moan to give the away side the lead on the 32nd minute.
Sunderland tried to salvage something from the game as manager Mel Reay made some positive substitutions, but it worked against her as Sarah Ewens doubled City’s lead and killed the game on the 71st minute.
The Lionesses, who beat Coventry City 5-0 away from home last time out, made just one change with Atlanta Primus dropping out the matchday squad and Lucy Shepherd coming into the starting 11. As for Sunderland, they remained unchanged from their 2-0 win away at Crystal Palace last weekend.
The first notable chance of the afternoon came for the hosts, as Grace McCatty headed straight down the throat of Shae Yanez, following an Emily Scarr corner.
However, just ten minutes later, Rodgers grabbed her third goal of the season. The midfielder picked up the ball in the centre and shot from distance, when a wicked deflection looped the ball over the helpless Moan to give the visitors the lead.
London City killed the game in the 74th minute after Lucy Fitzgerald’s cross from the left was glanced home by Ewens to wrap up the three points.
The result was overshadowed in the end as Neve Herron was stretchered off after a nasty head injury right at the death. Fortunately, Reay later revealed that the doctors have cleared Herron and she will be available for Sundays game at Southampton.
