Newcastle University Women’s 2nd’s 0-2 Team Sunderland Women

Team Sunderland Women got their 24/25 season off to a great start with a hard fought victory in a Tyne-Wear derby on Wednesday.

Newcastle started off the stronger side with a lot of pressure early on – going close in the eighth minute with a last ditch tackle from left back Rosie Lumsden proving just enough to stop the home side taking the lead.

However it was Sunderland who drew first blood in the 14th minute when Grace Carr met a corner with a towering header over the opposition’s keeper.

The home side responded well though with repeated attempts going close, notably in the 33rd minute when Newcastle’s striker’s hit the bar with a powerful shot.

Goalkeeper Ruby King found herself called into action once again moments later when Newcastle found themselves through on goal but yet again wasted another key chance right on the stroke of half time.

Sunderland started the second half well and their resilience was rewarded in the 54th minute when captain Megan Wheeler doubled the away side’s advantage with a long range looping volley over the helpless Newcastle goalie, leaving the home side ruing their missed chances.

Nevertheless, Newcastle responded positively again having the majority of possession for the rest of the half but their final ball left a lot to be desired. However the away side continued to work hard, defending well in numbers to protect their lead.

Sunderland dug in for the remainder of the half and ground out an excellent two nil win over their local rivals completing a perfect away performance.

After the final whistle had gone, Coach Gary Bennett commented “It was a hard fought game – today was the first time I’d met many of these girls so it was nice to go and see them battle hard and get a great result.”