Women beaten by Lady Black Cats

The unbeaten Lady Black Cats scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute as Lucy Staniforth slotted home from the penalty spot.

Staniforth had earlier been denied by Caitlin Leach's low save before hitting the bar from a direct free-kick.

Vixens stopper Leach also saved from Abbey Joice, before Jodie Brett and Claire Emslie went close at the other end.

But centre-back Hayley Ladd's challenge on Joice in the area left Staniforth to win the game and move Sunderland to third in the table after three games.

City - who were promoted to Women's Super League One as WSL 2 runners-up last year - drop to fourth.

City Women: Leach, Alexander (Sawyer 90), Brown, Turner, Esmlie, Arthur, Evans (Wilson 72), Ladd, Wilson, Woodham (Allen 61), Brett.

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