Sunderland AFC Women commenced their pre-season today with a 2-0 win over Celtic FC Women at Eppleton CW.
It was the lasses’ first game since they finished the 24/25 season back on 4th May, with a side full of new faces.
Similarly to the men, Sunderland Women have also been busy during the transfer window, bringing a plethora of talent with vast experience across the pitch – whilst retaining key players.
Quite the statement of intent, it would appear that the lasses are looking to press on this season
and look to replicate the success of the 23/24 season, which saw Sunderland narrowly miss out on promotion on the penultimate game of the season.
Starting XI: Maloney, Griffiths, Westrup (C), Greenwood, Corbyn, Fenton, McInnes, Sheva, Blades, Scarr, Dale.
— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) August 3, 2025
Subs: Lambourne, Brown, Paxton, Cassap, Kitching, Watson, Jones, Parker, West. pic.twitter.com/GZ3CgqakOv
Mel Reay opted to field a team of old and new, with debuts for goalkeeper Grace Maloney, defender Hannah Greenwood and winger Reanna Blades.
Within six minutes, Sunderland had taken the lead when new signing Blades won the ball out on the wing and placed a delightful ball to the feet of Eleanor Dale. Dale, who notched twelve goals in all competitions last season, looked to continue her prolificacy in front of goal by slotting the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
The opponents looked to kick into gear at that point and began to see more success in getting forward down the wings. But despite having plenty of the ball, Celtic were unable to capitalise on their chances, either hitting heavy passes or failing to be clinical in front of goal.
The Lasses went in at half-time with a 1-0 lead and the gaffer opted to make four changes at the break, bringing on Emily Cassap, Katie Kitching, Katy Watson and Demi Lambourne for Reanna Blades, Natasha Fenton, Libbi McInnes and Grace Maloney.
Celtic themselves opted for some changes in the second half as they looked to build out from the back and get an equaliser, but they were unable to capitalise in front of goal. Though, Demi Lambourne was called into action to make a fine save.
With roughly 20 minutes on the clock, a further four changes were made, with Jessica Brown, Ellen Jones, Chloe Paxton and Ella Parker coming on for Louise Griffiths, Eleanor Dale, Brianna Westrup and Emily Scarr.
The game was nearing its end and Sunderland were still firmly holding on to their one-goal cushion until Katy Watson made it 2-0 with five minutes left. The pacey forward doubled the lead by putting the ball into the bottom corner, following on from some brilliant work by Marissa Sheva.
Unfortunately for the fans, the match today was played behind closed doors, so it is difficult for us to know exactly how the lasses performed, our style of play, tactics and formation. But it is still promising to see Sunderland kick-start their pre-season with a win over a top Scottish Women’s Premier League side.
Whilst Celtic are not the same side which featured in the UEFA Women’s Champions League a few seasons ago, this is still a team which has won the division once, the Scottish Cup twice and the SWPL Cup twice.
Of course, we can never read too much into pre-season games, but it is good to see Sunderland score twice and keep a clean sheet at the back. Particularly given the numerous substitutions we made and young/Academy players being given opportunities in the senior set-up.
We kick start our pre-season campaign with victory pic.twitter.com/nK2DxCCPqN
— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) August 3, 2025
Next up, the Lasses travel away to Scotland to face Rangers Women in their second pre-season game. With this being one of the only games available to Sunderland fans that is open to the public.
The game takes place at Broadwood Stadium on Wednesday, 6th August, at 2pm, which is a shame, given it is midweek and an early kick-off – and also a shame, as I’m on holiday at the time. But I’m delighted to hear that there is still a strong contingent of Lasses’ fans who are going to be making the trip up.
Safe journey to you all and Haway The Lasses!
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