Report: Sunderland Ladies 1-2 Bristol City Women

With both sides eager to secure victory, it was a tense opening ten minutes with most of the ball being played in the middle of the park.

The Vixens capitalised on their first chance of the match, thanks to some quick feet by Farrow. The 21-year-old tip-toed her way around the Black Cats defence before finding herself through on goal, and as Rachel Laws came rushing off her line Farrow had the skill and composure to lift the ball over the England keeper into the back of the net.

Just before the half hour mark, Vixens shot stopper Sophie Baggaley was called into action when Sunderland skipper Lucy Staniforth unleashed a wicked effort, but Baggaley made an outstanding diving save to push the ball just round the post.

Moments later, City Women had doubled their lead thanks to PFA Young Player of the Year nominee Lauren Hemp. The Vixens were awarded a penalty when Kylia Sjoman brought down Yana Daniels.

Hemp’s first effort was originally saved well by Laws, but Hemp was first to the rebound and made no mistake second time around blasting the ball into the net.

Sunderland Ladies pulled one back in the second half, after some impressive play from forward Abbey Joice. Finding herself in space with the ball, she crafted a pinpoint pass to Stainforth who slotted home after 56 minutes.

The Black Cats continued to press for an equaliser but came up against an immovable Baggaley, who made three outstanding saves in the final 20 minutes to deny Sunderland Women a point in the North-East.

City Women; Baggaley, Matthews (Brown 77), Kerkdijk, Arthur, Humphrey (Palmer 69), Daniels, Hemp, Allen, Biesmans, Turner (c), Farrow (Woolley 63).

Unused substitutes: Watson, Dykes, P Wilson.

Tickets for City Women's remaining games are here.

Words by Chelsey Downing