After an emphatic 4-0 away win against Sheffield United in the opening game last weekend, the hope was that Sunderland would capitalise on their fine start and look to build momentum in the league, as well as put themselves down as a promotion contender.
Playing against Birmingham City, no less — a side which is regularly touted to go up — the lasses would have felt the pressure to get a result against a rival team, and one which has had the best of us in numerous fixtures now, with Sunderland’s last
win over the Blues coming back in January 2018 when both teams were in the Women’s Super League.
Understandably, Mel Reay opted to field an unchanged side as Sunderland lined up against Birmingham, with the only change being Marissa Sheva coming out for Jamie Finn with what would appear to be an injury. Hopefully one which is only minor, as Sheva was an integral part of the lasses’ build-up play last week and has an attacking edge to her game in the centre of midfield.
Similar to last week, Sunderland started off the game slowly, which you may be able to get away with when playing opposition such as Sheffield United, but given the fact that Birmingham won 5-1 last weekend, we couldn’t give the Blues any chances in front of goal.
Unfortunately, that didn’t pan out and the lasses were under the cosh for the majority of the first half.
The Blues were quick, energetic and looking to press Sunderland at any opportunity they had, forcing us to go back or rush the ball, ultimately leading to possession being recycled back to them.
Sunderland struggled to string together a passage of passes and get out of their own half. The absence of Marissa Sheva was notable in the middle of the park, as she was central last weekend to being that central pivot and linking the defence to midfield and the midfield to attack. She was everywhere and her passing was second to none.
The lack of her presence was felt and you had to feel for the likes of Izzy Atkinson, Katie Kitching, Katy Watson and Emily Scarr, who all cut lone figures at the top of the pitch. That isn’t to say they didn’t look to receive the ball, as players dropped to assist in the buildup, but unfortunately that meant when we did turn the ball over, we were having to lump high and away from danger, with no target players to pass to.
Whilst opportunities were few and Blues keeper, Lucy Thomas, didn’t have a save to make, Sunderland did have a good chance just before half time when Scarr held the ball up on the right wing before playing a wonderful ball into the feet of Kitching. A selfless player, she probably could and should have looked to take the shot off herself, but opted to lay it off for a teammate. However, unfortunately, Birmingham were quick to toe poke the ball away from danger and the opportunity to test the keeper went begging.
It would be remiss of us to only concentrate on the lack of a Sunderland attack in that first half, but it must be said that the lasses stood strong against the relentless press and attack from Birmingham — with centre-backs Roberts and Greenwood in particular putting in some brilliant tackles, blocks and clearances, particularly early on in the game, when Moloney was beaten and the ball was cleared from the line.
Thankfully, it was through their efforts that Sunderland were able to go in 0-0 at half time.
Oh, how I would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall during the halftime team talk. Whilst not a terrible performance, I feel Mel Reay would’ve been disappointed that we didn’t create more or test the keeper.
I hoped that Sunderland would have come out firing from the blocks, perhaps mindful that Birmingham may not be able to sustain the high press and intensity for the full game and that the lasses were in a position to exploit and counter.
However, once again, the Blues started strong and if they were slightly more clinical, could have found themselves one or two goals up as they put their chances just wide of the post.
The emphasis of their attack seemed to constantly be down the right side with Atkinson and Louise Griffiths, looking to mitigate the barrage of Blues players trying to get forward and play the ball in behind.
Despite the lack of possession and chances, it was Sunderland who took the lead in the 60th minute. A ball thrown out by Moloney at the back fell to the feet of Jessica Brown. She looked up to see Scarr making the run on the right wing and sent a beautifully weighted ball forward for Scarr to run onto. She could have easily looked to lay it off for a teammate, but had the confidence to cut inside, make the run and chip the onrushing Thomas.
Just as hopes began to build, however, Birmingham quickly responded just moments later, making it 1-1 in the 63rd minute with a brilliant corner finish from Sarri, who had been a danger all game and has that kind of goal in her locker.
At this point, you could argue the lasses started to lose their composure, and we saw some risky passes at the back, which Birmingham were more than happy to jump on. Thankfully, Grace Moloney was on hand to pull off some great saves and smother the ball, though Birmingham really should have taken the lead when Lily Crosthwaite missed a sitter.
Sunderland opted to make two changes, bringing on Mary Corbyn and Keira Barry for Katy Watson and Izzy Atkinson respectively.
Birmingham continued their relentless press and Sunderland were struggling to contain them. But thankfully, their lack of clinical ability in front of goal were keeping the lasses in it.
Sunderland looked to stand firm and attack on the counter, which almost paid dividends when Kitching forced a rushed back pass to the keeper. Manchester United loanee, Kiera Barry, rushed to the ball and caught the keeper in no man’s land, opting to chip her from distance, but her shot agonsingly trickled just inches past the post.
Barry went close just moments later when she started off the counter attack near Sunderland’s own box, switching the ball from the left wing to the right wing with Mary Corbyn, who then did well to take it up the pitch and cross into the Birmingham box.
The young loanee made a huge difference when she came on and arguably should’ve been awarded a penalty when she headed towards goal and was clattered by the onrushing Thomas, who made no contact with the ball and only succeeded in taking Barry out. But the ref gave a free kick to the Blues instead.
With five additional minutes added on, Birmingham once again went close to grabbing the winner. But their shot ricocheted off and back into play from the crossbar.
A tough battle for Sunderland which may have lacked in attacking impetus and creativity, but similarly to the lads yesterday, the defence stood up to the test and we took a strong point off a potential promotion rival.
