Sunderland Women 1 -1 Durham Women FC (4-3 on penalties): Shootout victory sees Black Cats claim first League Cup win of the season

Sunderland Women secured the River Wear Derby victory on penalties.

Emily Scarr’s finish broke the deadlock with 50 minutes played, Beth Hepple’s effort levelled the score line with 72 minutes on the clock.

Sunderland went into this Women’s league cup match sitting bottom of Group B with two defeats from two games. They are without a win since Friday November 19, which came against Durham. This cup game provided a welcome break from a tough league campaign so far this season, the side sit 10th in the WSL 2, joint on points with Durham who are ninth via goal difference. Sunderland were looking to put a disappointing Tyne-Wear Derby behind them and gain a positive result in the River Wear Derby at Eppleton.

Sunderland started the game brightly and they had a couple of good opportunities to take the lead, excellent wing play from Keira Barry as her cross found Katie Kitching who could only head over. Kitching then produced a good attempt as her volley went just over the crossbar.

Durham then grew into the game as they produced a flurry of chances, most notably Michaela Foster who did well to turn and shoot but her shot was saved instinctively by Demi Lambourne in the Sunderland goal.

A brilliant forward run from Emily Scarr allowed her to have space and time in the box, her low cross found Kitching who could only place her shot wide. A speculative effort from Natasha Fenton soared narrowly over the bar as half-time edged closer.

Scarr was awarded for her efforts as she went one on one with the keeper, and she kept her composure to finish calmly for the first goal of the game. She was soon in search for her second and went close just a couple minutes later as her effort went agonisingly wide of the far post.

Against the run of play, Beth Hepple’s wide free kick was expertly delivered with pace and precision, and a slight deflection saw the ball fly into the far corner to tie up the scores.

Barry searched for a winner as she took matters into her own hands, going on a fantastic solo run beating four Durham defenders in the process before firing over the bar.

Lambourne was the hero, pulling off the decisive save as Sunderland won 4-3 on penalties.

Following the international break, Sunderland travel away to face Nottingham Forest in the WSL2, as Durham host Ipswich Town.