Report: Bristol Academy 1-4 Sunderland

Sunderland's Beth Mead scored a simple goal to put the visitors in front in the first half, after a sweeping passage of play.

The Vixens, fuelled by an injection of confidence following their first win in 11 games in mid-week, got themselves back into the game shortly before half-time.

Jade Boho Sayo swept the ball home, to score her fourth goal in three appearances since her move from Rayo Vallecano earlier this month.

Steph Bannon put the WSL1 newcomers back into the ascendancy five minutes after the start of the second half, capitalising on a goalmouth scramble.

Willie Kirk's side pushed for an equaliser with Caroline Weir pulling all the strings, following her sensational 45-yard lob in the mid-week Continental Cup victory against Aston Villa.

Any chance of a comeback was extinguished, when Sunderland substitute Emma Kelly put the game out of sight mid-way through the second half.

Mead added her second and her team's fourth, tapping in to an empty net to send Sunderland top of the table.

The final scoreline was harsh on the Vixens, who more than matched their in-form opponents for the majority of the game.

Bristol remain rooted to the bottom of the table, one point off Birmingham in seventh, ahead of their next game in the WSL1 away to Notts County on Wednesday, August 5th.