Another tough game in Sunderland Women’s start to the 2025/26 season. It feels too early to say it was a must-win game, but the WSL2 is always a competitive beast, and with Birmingham and Charlton starting well, the lasses need to keep pace and take points off promotion pushers.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, as Sunderland lost 2-0 at home to Charlton, ending their undefeated streak in what was quite a lacklustre performance from the lasses.
Sunderland fielded an unchanged eleven from last weekend’s
draw against Southampton. The lasses had some welcome additions in Kiera Barry and Eleanor Dale returning from injury, making them an option from the bench.
Sunderland had to battle blustery conditions, and that was without factoring in the weather. Charlton undoubtedly were the better side in the first half and were relentless in their press and attack.
From the first whistle, the Addicks took the game to Sunderland and looked to exploit the wings with long balls over the top. The lasses struggled with this early on and were guilty of stepping forward too early, which allowed Charlton players to remain onside and get into dangerous positions.
The lasses, as well, seemed to lack some of their usual composure, with a few of the usual ‘reliables’ being susceptible to a mis-hit pass or failed clearance. Charlton were only too happy to take advantage of this and looked to capitalise.
Even in the first ten minutes of the game, it was evident that Sunderland were struggling to contain Charlton and had barely had a sniff of goal, let alone a venture into their half.
With Charlton in the ascendancy, the opponents took the opportunity to take the lead in the 19th minute with a sensational strike from Jodie Hutton. No complaints can be had about this goal, as it was rifled in with pinpoint accuracy from just outside the box.
The lasses seemed to wake up slightly after this but still struggled to create anything meaningful and push back against Charlton.
Katy Watson was our only real bright spark, as she looked to be a threat with her tenacity and pace out on the right wing, beating her player and winning corners. But again, Sunderland failed to create anything from these chances.
Charlton continued in their pursuit of a second, with Grace Moloney coming up big to make some brilliant saves to keep the lasses in it.
No changes were made at half-time, but how I would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall in the changing rooms.
Whatever was said at the interval, it seemed to have an impact, as whilst Charlton did start again the stronger of the two, the lasses started to build out from the back and correct mistakes from the first half.
Sunderland were getting in and being more astute in their passing to work the ball up the pitch. Some dangerous balls were fired into the box, with Atkinson and Katie Kitching going closest. But their shots were tame or just missed the target.
With 30 minutes left on the clock, Mel Reay made three substitutions, bringing off Izzy Atkinson, Jessica Brown, and Louise Griffiths for Jamie Finn, Mary Corbyn, and Evie Rabjohn. With this change, the lasses seemed to shift to an almost 4-4-2, with Corbyn going in at left-back, Rabjohn at right-back, Finn in at centre-midfield, and Sheva moving from the midfield to the left wing.
Whilst this appeared to pay dividends quite quickly, with Sunderland having more energy and pace in the attack, it did allow for gaps at the back as the lasses sought an equaliser.
Charlton capitalised on Sunderland getting forward and doubled their advantage when ex-Sunderland player Mary McAteer sent a wonderful cross into the box for Hutton to score her brace in the 68th minute.
Perhaps sensing the game was creeping away from us, Reay pulled out the big guns in making two final substitutions, Eleanor Dale and Kiera Barry coming on for Katy Watson and Emily Scarr.
After a long stoppage in play due to a Charlton injury, the lasses were quick to try and get forward in numbers as the game entered the final stages.
Understandably, it was at this point that Charlton wanted to master the dark arts and were looking to waste time at every opportunity, much to Sunderland’s chagrin.
The referee didn’t help in this regard by giving fouls against Sunderland every time a Charlton player tripped over their own feet, adding some comedy, embarrassment, and sheer disbelief on top of the cake.
However, even with seven minutes’ added time, the game was completely stop-and-start, and the lasses were never able to find some rhythm, particularly due to the aforementioned. Sunderland’s only real chance came in the final moments, with Eleanor Dale firing wide from close range, but with the angle against her.
Ultimately, it’s a very disappointing result for Sunderland, not just because of the result itself, but the performance the lasses put in. It was easily the poorest one we have shown so far this season.
Sunderland simply didn’t create enough or even force a save from the Charlton goalkeeper. Charlton were the better side and the deserved winners. They harassed the lasses all game and never allowed Sunderland to gain control of the game.
Whilst it was a frustrating afternoon at the Stadium of Light, we have to remember it’s still very early in the season, and this is our first loss. The lasses and fans need to get their heads back up for next weekend, as we travel away to Crystal Palace.
