Match report: Sunderland Women 4-1 Bristol City Women
Lotta Lindström opened the scoring for Bristol City after 14 minutes, Rhiannon Robert’s equalised with 27 minutes played, Katie Kitching put the lasses ahead with 77 minutes on the clock and Katy Watson completed the scoring in the 83rd minute.
Sunderland started the opening game brightly and they had the early chances to take the lead, Elise Hughes saw an ambitious long-range effort saved behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, a well worked routine found Kitching who could only fire her attempt narrowly over the crossbar. SAFC continued to push for the opener with another chance falling to Elise Hughes; however her effort was smartly stopped by Francesca Bentley in the Bristol City goal.
After soaking up some early pressure, it was the visitors who took an early lead through Lindström – she finished smartly from close range after an inviting cross from Katie Robinson. The Captain, Emily Syme played a major part with her accurate pass to find Robinson on the wing.
The lasses responded well to the setback and were able to equalise just 13 minutes later as Kitching’s corner accurately found Captain Robert’s who finished instinctively on the volley, the ball crashed in off the post – leaving the keeper with no chance.
Half-time: Sunderland (W) 1-1 Bristol City (W)
Sunderland started the second half on the front foot, and this was reflected when Katy Watson produced an excellent cross for Kitching who managed to get in front of her marker to finish.
However, Bristol City did not let this affect them momentarily as they produced a couple of chances of their own. Lindström was causing problems yet again and her effort was smartly stopped by Frances Stenson in the Sunderland goal. Just a few moments later, the ball fell nicely to Sophie Ingle on the edge of the box; however her effort flew narrowly wide of the target.
The lasses did well to soak up this pressure, and two moments of brilliance from Watson sealed the win.
Full-time: Sunderland (W) 4-1 Bristol City (W)
SAFC Women travel away to face Burnley Women on Sunday 13th September.
