Match Report: Sunderland Women 1–0 Southampton Women

Sunderland Women beat Southampton Women 1-0 at Eppleton CW in the WSL2 on Sunday.

Eleanor Dale’s close-range effort was the only goal of the game with 56 minutes on the clock.

A MASSIVE WIN 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4tkRnz1ljO

— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) January 25, 2026

Sunderland went into this WLS 2 game sitting eighth in the table, and in their previous league game, they defeated bottom side Ipswich, which gave them some much needed breathing space from the threat of relegation.

The Lasses began the game on the front foot and Dale’s precise switch of play allowed Jessica Brown to get forward from full-back, however her attempted cross was intercepted.

Katy Watson was next to test the Southampton defence, but she was denied by an excellent Amy Goddard block.

The Saints gradually grew into the game, and Atlanta Primus looked threatening – seeing her effort from range saved comfortably by Moloney.

Southampton continued to attack with Primus, who saw her shot blocked heroically by Sunderland skipper Rhiannon Roberts.

After an excellent team move involving Ellie Brazil and Megan Collett, the latter saw her shot whistle narrowly past Maloney’s left-hand post.

Sunderland started the second half brightly just like the first, and they were able to force consecutive corners which the Southampton defence dealt with initially.

However, just moments later, Sunderland went in front, as after an incredible goal-line scramble, Dale was in the right place to put the ball in the net.

After going ahead, Sunderland managed the game well and restricted Southampton of opportunities.

Primus saw her effort narrowly clear the crossbar after a determined run past multiple Sunderland defenders.

Sunderland travel away to face Bristol City on Saturday January 31.