Match report: Durham Women 1-2 Sunderland Women

Yesterday at 06:46 AM

Sunderland came from behind to earn their first away win of the season in the Barclays Women’s Championship with a 2-1 victory over Durham in the River Wear Derby.

Durham's Hannah Blake opened the scoring on the ten minute mark before Eleanor Dale equalised for The Black Cats with a penalty in the 34th minute. 

Mary McAteer's strike just after the interval put Sunderland ahead and it was enough to take all three points home. 

Mel Reay made one change from last week’s Tyne and Wear derby defeat, leaving out Jessica Brown. Megan Beer claimed her first league start of the season. 

Durham led at Maiden Castle in the opening ten minutes when Blake struck the ball past Demi Lambourne after a scramble in the Sunderland area.  

Shortly after the goal, Sunderland found their rhythm when a Katie Kitching effort was cleared off the line by Durham captain Sarah Wilson.  

Just after the half hour mark, Dale was brought down in the Durham box and therefore awarded a penalty. 

Dale placed the ball in the back of the net from the spot, equalising the tie.

Just before half-time, Sunderland had another chance to score with a scramble in the box, forcing Durham goalkeeper Tatiana Saunders to punch the ball away from danger

In the 51st minute a well-worked Sunderland counter attack and cross from Emily Scarr – found McAteer who chipped the ball into the back of the net to put the visitors in front.

Durham searched for an equaliser in the last 30 minutes, and despite multiple corners and six minutes of added time, The Black Cats held on to secure all three points.

The result puts Sunderland in 8th place in the league and they will host Bristol City in their next outing. As for Durham, they fall to the 4th place and next up is a trip to Blackburn Rovers .