After an unbeaten pre-season and a plethora of new signings, Sunderland Women fans could be forgiven for getting ahead of themselves. However, our excitement and expectations were quickly validated when Sunderland Women started the newly coined WSL2 season with a statement win.
Many fans made the trip to Sheffield in a valiant effort for a 6pm KO on a Friday night. Something new in the league this season, as they look to trial Friday night games. This dear writer wouldn’t have minded, but it is a big
ask for fans to make a kick off time that early. Which is unfortunately what happened in my case. But I digress.
Mel Reay opted for a lineup that was quite different from the one fans expected last season. Whilst the likes of Katie Kitching, Marissa Sheva, Natasha Fenton, Jessica Brown, Emily Scarr and Louise Griffiths were given the nod, we saw the introduction of new summer signings in goalkeeper Grace Moloney, captain Rhiannon Roberts, Hannah Greenwood and Izzy Atkinson. And some may be forgiven for thinking Katy Watson was a summer signing despite numerous years with the club, as she was finally given the nod to start the game.
It was the Blades who started the game well, buoyed by the home support. Sheffield showed a real tenacity and relentlessness to press Sunderland and looked to transition the ball quickly up the pitch.
The lasses struggle for the opening 20 minutes to cope with their energy, with the backline called into action numerous times to get in a block or tackle. Though Moloney was never truly challenged.
Opportunities that Sheffield had in front of goal were relatively tame.
That said, it was very much similar for Sunderland when a chance presented itself, with shots trickling across the goal line without any real bite or venom.
The hosts knitted together some decent phases before the opener—Amy Andrews’ half-chance (36’) and set-piece pressure hinted at a breakthrough—but the final ball wasn’t there and attempts drifted high or wide.
On 40’ Sunderland sprang a fast break with Watson carrying the ball and whipping it into the box. It was Izzy Atkinson who met the ball on the volley, hitting it low and hard first time with a resounding thump to give the lasses the lead on her debut.
Grabbing a goal at a pivotal point of the game, it was clear to see that Sunderland were building in confidence and that only continued into the second half.
Seven minutes into the second half, Roberts attacked the cross from the corner to head in a lopping header up and over for 0–2.
Mel Reay opted to make her first change of the evening, bringing off goal scorer Atkinson for Ellen Jones. Whereas, United made a double change on 61’ to add more width and energy, but Sunderland’s block stayed compact. Snuffing out any Blades’ opportunities.
The lasses made their second change, bringing on new loan signing from Manchester United, Keira Barry, on for Katy Watson. Sheffield did have an opportunity to reduce the deficit and look to get back into the game when, in the 77th minute, Butler saw her shot blocked and then hooked off the line.
But the Blades were made to rue this missed chance just moments later.
With United stretched, Scarr combined brilliantly down the middle and laid the chance for Kitching to rocket in the third on 80’ from distance – the New Zealand international is looking to continue her fine form from the previous season. Then, deep into added time, Scarr completed the display by steering in the fourth following on from a Fenton cross which wasn’t cleared.
An emphatic display by the Lasses. First game of the season, three points, away win, four different goal scorers with two netting on their debuts and a clean sheet. If Carlsberg did football, ey?
Tactical Analysis
· Sunderland’s 4-1-4-1 control without the ball: Natasha Fenton sat as a true single pivot, screening central lanes and enabling rapid transitions.
· Set-piece edge: Roberts’ header came from a well-worked corner. United had more corners overall but created little danger from them.
· United’s 5-3-2 couldn’t protect the red zones: gaps between wing-backs and outer centre-backs were exploited in transition.
Numbers that tell the story
· Shot quality vs. volume: Sunderland turned 4 shots on target into 4 goals; United’s 2 on target brought no saves to make.
· Discipline by design: Sunderland committed 17 fouls to United’s 5, controlling rhythm and momentum through tactical fouling.
Standouts
· Emily Scarr – Led the line unselfishly, assist + goal.
· Izzy Atkinson – The opener and diligent defensive work.
· Rhiannon Roberts – Towering header and strong defending.
· Natasha Fenton – Pivot and set-piece provider.
· Marissa Sheva – Integral role in the centre of midfield, dictating play and being the focal point for transition
What It Means
For Sunderland, it’s a statement away win to kick off the season, built on structure, set-piece threat and clinical transitions. For the Blades, there’s work to do on defending restarts and managing defensive spacing when wing-backs step high; the attacking pair will also need quicker service and more runners beyond.
Up next
The Lasses play their first home game of the season against Birmingham Women at the Stadium of Light next weekend. Sunderland will be looking for revenge after the Blues won both fixtures of the lasses last season both home and away. But will also want to prove that they can be a title contender, with Birmingham tipped to be a promotion candidate.
