How the sides are shaping up
The first Wear derby of 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for both Sunderland and Durham — two sides that find themselves in the lower half of the Women’s Super League 2 table and in need of momentum as the season enters its decisive middle third.
Although this fixture has never carried the ferocity or cultural weight of Sunderland’s rivalry with Newcastle United, it’s grown into a fiercely competitive local meeting in its own right; a derby shaped by geography, identity and the desire for regional
bragging rights.
With only two points separating the sides in the league standings, the stakes for this January encounter at Maiden Castle could hardly be clearer and Sunderland arrive in Durham buoyed by a much‑needed 2–1 victory over Ipswich Town on 21 December — a result that halted a run of four consecutive defeats and restored a sense of belief within Melanie Reay’s squad.
Their overall record of three wins, three draws, and five losses leaves them eighth in the table on twelve points — a position that reflects a season of inconsistency but also flashes of promise — and their away form of one win, two draws, and two defeats hints at a team capable of resilience on the road, even if they haven’t always been rewarded for their efforts.
Durham, meanwhile, sit tenth on ten points from eleven matches and their campaign characterised by stubborn defensive performances but also a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
Their form guide shows a mixture of narrow defeats and hard‑earned draws, with their most recent outings including a heavy 5–1 loss to an in‑form opponent and a 3–1 defeat that exposed some of their structural vulnerabilities. However, Durham remain a side that rarely capitulates at home and their ability to grind out results — as they did earlier in the season with a 1–0 win over Southampton — ensures that Sunderland will not underestimate the challenge ahead.
The head‑to‑head history between the clubs adds further intrigue.
Sunderland have traditionally held the upper hand, with eight wins from fifteen meetings compared to Durham’s four, alongside three draws. Their most recent encounter was tight, including a 1–1 draw in which Emily Scarr and Beth Hepple both found the net before Sunderland triumphed on penalties in the Subway Cup, which neither team progressed in.
Typically, matches between the two have often been defined by fine margins, late goals, and moments of individual brilliance. Today’s fixture promises to follow a similar pattern and the Wear derby dynamic — competitive, physical, and rooted in local pride — ensures that form alone rarely dictates the outcome.
For Sunderland, the opportunity to secure back‑to‑back league wins for the first time this season is significant, and their victory over Ipswich showcased a renewed sharpness in attack and a resilience that had been missing during their difficult run of form.
Emily Scarr — who’s been central to Sunderland’s attacking threat — continues to demonstrate her importance to the side and her goalscoring form and ongoing improvement have been prolific during a season in which Sunderland have struggled.
Her ability to influence big matches, as she has in previous fixtures and in past derbies, makes her a key figure heading into this fixture. Scarr’s movement, pace, and instinct for exploiting space between defenders could prove decisive against a Durham backline that’s exhibited vulnerability when defending transitions.
Durham’s standout player remains Beth Hepple — the heartbeat of their midfield and a leader within the squad.
Hepple’s ability to dictate tempo, deliver dangerous set pieces and strike from distance makes her a constant threat and her equaliser in the aforementioned 1–1 draw against Sunderland exemplified her knack for producing moments of quality in tight matches.
If Durham are to assert control in midfield and disrupt Sunderland’s rhythm, Hepple will be central to that effort, as her composure and experience offer stability in a team that’s sometimes struggled to maintain consistency across ninety minutes.
The Durham view: strengths and potential weaknesses
Despite their struggles this season, Durham remain a side with several clear strengths that Sunderland will need to respect, and their identity has long been built on resilience, physicality, and an ability to make matches uncomfortable for opponents, particularly at Maiden Castle.
Even during a campaign in which results have been inconsistent, these qualities continue to define their performances.
Durham’s defensive organisation, while occasionally exposed by pace, is still anchored by experienced figures who understand how to manage the rhythm of a game. Their backline is adept at dealing with aerial balls and their willingness to engage in physical duels can disrupt teams who rely on fluid passing sequences. This ability to impose themselves physically — particularly during the opening stages of matches — often allows Durham to dictate the tone of the contest.
Another of Durham’s strengths lies in their midfield structure.
With Hepple at the heart of their play, they possess a midfielder capable of controlling the tempo, switching play, and delivering dangerous set pieces. Hepple’s technical quality gives Durham a reliable outlet when under pressure, and her ability to pick out runners or strike from distance means Sunderland can’t afford to give her time on the ball.
Alongside her, players such as Mollie Lambert bring energy and tenacity, ensuring that Durham rarely lose midfield battles without a fight. Their central unit is disciplined, compact and difficult to play through, forcing opponents to work hard for space in advanced areas.
Durham are also a side who thrive on moments rather than sustained pressure.
They may not create a high volume of chances but they’re capable of capitalising on defensive lapses with clinical efficiency. Their forwards, although not prolific this season, are strong, direct, and willing to chase down loose balls, which can unsettle defenders who are uncomfortable under pressure.
This opportunistic edge combined with their set‑piece threat means Durham can turn matches with a single moment of quality or a well‑executed routine, and their ability to remain competitive even when out of possession is one of their defining characteristics.
Durham Women FC’s 2025/2026 campaign has been defined by a mixture of resilience and frustration, and their weaknesses this season are becoming increasingly visible in both the numbers and the rhythm of their performances.
One of the most persistent problems has been their inconsistency in front of goal.
Scoring just 1.18 goals per match, Durham have found it difficult to convert promising passages of play into meaningful end product. Their attacking sequences often look industrious rather than incisive, and while the team works hard to progress the ball, they lack a reliable cutting edge in the final third.
This is especially evident during matches where they dominate possession but fail to create high‑quality chances.
The absence of a consistently clinical finisher has meant that even when they manage to carve out opportunities, they rarely put opponents under sustained pressure. It’s a weakness that becomes more pronounced when chasing games, as the side can appear short of ideas and overly reliant on hopeful deliveries rather than crafted attacking patterns.
Defensively, the picture is slightly more complex.
On paper, conceding 1.36 goals per match isn’t catastrophic and their defensive record is statistically better than several teams around them. — yet the timing and nature of the goals they concede has been damaging.
Durham have struggled with lapses in concentration, particularly late in matches where a lack of composure or organisation has cost them valuable points.
Overall, Durham Women FC’s weaknesses this season stem from a blend of limited attacking potency, fragile away performances, and difficulty sustaining control in key moments. These issues don’t reflect a lack of effort or ambition, but they do underline the need for sharper execution and greater tactical clarity as the season progresses.
Tactical considerations: success through transition?
Tactically, Sunderland will look to exploit several weaknesses that have emerged in Durham’s recent performances — and one of the most notable issues has been their difficulty in defending quick transitions.
Their full backs — who often push high to support attacks — can leave space in behind and their centre backs have occasionally been exposed by pacy forwards. Sunderland’s wide players, particularly Scarr, will aim to take advantage of these gaps, using diagonal runs and quick interchanges to stretch the Durham defence.
Additionally, Durham have shown vulnerability at set pieces, conceding goals from second balls and failing to clear their lines under pressure. Sunderland have improved their delivery from dead‑ball situations and see this as an area in which they can gain an advantage.
Another potential weakness lies in Durham’s attacking play, with a lack of cutting edge evident in several recent matches and the team often struggling to create clear‑cut chances.
If Sunderland can maintain their defensive discipline and force Durham into predictable patterns of play, they may find themselves being able to control the tempo and limit the home side’s opportunities. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Sunderland needing to disrupt Hepple’s influence while ensuring that they move the ball quickly enough to bypass Durham’s physical press.
The setting at Maiden Castle adds another dimension to the occasion.
Durham’s home ground is known for its tight pitch and close‑knit atmosphere — factors that can make matches feel scrappy and intense. Sunderland will need to adapt quickly to the conditions and avoid being drawn into a physical battle that suits Durham’s strengths.
Instead, they’ll aim to impose their own style, using technical quality and movement to stretch the game and create openings. The psychological aspect of playing away in a derby can’t be underestimated but Sunderland’s experience in managing high‑pressure fixtures should serve them well.
Player‑by‑player analysis
Sunderland’s squad offers a blend of youth, experience, and technical ability.
In defence, Brianna Westrup brings leadership and positional intelligence, while Jessica Brown offers athleticism and the ability to drive forward from full back. Their partnership will be vital in containing Durham’s physical approach.
In midfield, Katie Kitching continues to be a driving force with her energy and tenacity setting the tone for Sunderland’s pressing game. Just behind her, Natasha Fenton provides composure and vision, linking play effectively and helping Sunderland maintain control in central areas. Their ability to disrupt Hepple’s influence will be key to Sunderland’s success.
In attack, Emily Scarr is the standout figure, with her pace, movement and finishing making her Sunderland’s most dangerous player.
Her understanding with fellow forwards such as Katy Watson adds fluidity to Sunderland’s attacking play, allowing them to create overloads and exploit space in wide areas. Scarr’s ability to rise to big occasions — the derby‑day mentality — makes her a central figure in this fixture.
Durham’s squad, meanwhile, is built around experience and physicality.
Goalkeeper Cat Sheppard provides stability at the back, her reflexes and command of the box essential to Durham’s defensive structure. In defence, Sarah Robson and Lauren Briggs offer strength and aerial presence, though their lack of pace can be exposed by quick forwards. Their ability to manage Scarr’s movement will be a decisive factor — though it could be interesting to see if Eleanor Dale makes her return.
In midfield, Hepple is the creative hub, with her passing range and set piece delivery giving Durham a constant threat. Alongside her, Lambert provides energy and ball‑winning ability, helping Durham maintain their shape and disrupt opposition attacks. Their partnership will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the match.
In attack, Durham rely on the physical presence of Mariana Speckmaier and the movement of Poppy Pritchard , although their lack of consistent goalscoring has been a challenge this season. Their ability to capitalise on Sunderland’s defensive lapses — particularly from crosses and set pieces — could determine Durham’s chances of success.
The final word
This promises to be a fiercely contested encounter, shaped by local pride, league position, and the desire for momentum.
Sunderland enter the match with renewed confidence after their recent victory, whereas Durham will be determined to make home advantage count. The tactical battle, the influence of key players such as Scarr and Hepple and the ability of both sides to manage transitions and set pieces will be central to the outcome.
What’s certain is that the match will carry significance beyond the three points on offer, offering both teams an opportunity to shape the trajectory of their season and claim bragging rights in a quietly intense local rivalry.
