By james art Sunderland came from behind to claim an impressive 2-1 victory over rivals Durham in the Barclays Women’s Championship this afternoon.
Hannah Blake’s early goal for the home side gave them a deserved lead, but Eleanor Dale’s penalty and Mary McAteer’s close-range finish turned the game on its head.
Carly Jones had Durham’s first chance after three minutes. Some good work from Lily Crosthwaite and Molly Lambert down the right saw Johns break down the side.
The tension continued as Beth Hepple’s free-kick was volleyed over by Sarah Wilson, before Blake finished off a well-worked move with a cool-headed strike into the box after 10 minutes.
Dale was proving a bright spark for the visitors and only a last-ditch block on the line from Wilson denied it an equalizer for Sunderland.
Kayla Novak forced a save from Demi Lambourn in the 26th minute and the Sunderland keeper then reacted well to tip Johns’ 25-yard shot around the post a minute later.
Sunderland were awarded a penalty after 33 minutes for a handball in the box, which Dale converted.
Five minutes after the game resumed, the visitors were ahead. Tatiana Saunders spilled a cross from the right wing to Emily Scarr and Durham failed to clear. Then McAteer had the simplest of tasks to get home.
Wilson came close to restoring parity immediately but her header was cleared off the line and Crosthwaite was denied from close range by an excellent block from Lambourn.
Durham piled on the pressure in the dying stages, but The Lady Black Cats held on for a hard-fought three points.
After the international break, Durham travel to Blackburn Rovers while Sunderland host Bristol City.