Eleanor Dale and Katie Kitching both netted twice as Sunderland edged Bristol City in a seven-goal thriller at The Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground in the Barclays Women’s Championship this afternoon.
Goals from Mari Ward, Ffion Morgan, and Lexi Lloyd-Smith proved in vain for the away side, who surrendered a 2-1 half-time lead in the second half, The Robins eventually lost the game 4-3.
The hosts hit the front inside 35 seconds. After winning the ball from an opposition throw in, Natasha Fenton threaded it through to Dale. The striker shrugged off two challenges to slot in the opener.
A superb run on the left from skipper Jamie-Lee Napier created an opening for Bristol City. Morgan’s first-time flick was saved, but Ward converted the rebound after 10 minutes.
The Robins took the lead in the 29th minute with a remarkable sequence of play. A Sunderland attack broke down and the ball fell to Lloyd-Smith. The 21-year-old flighted an excellent ball in-behind the home defence, which Morgan ran on to and lofted beyond Demi Lambourne.
Napier went close to adding a third before half-time, cutting inside from the left and looping a 20-yarder off the top of the bar.
Bristol City were ruthlessly punished for their profligacy in four ridiculous minutes after the break, in which Sunderland scored three times. Dale grabbed her second after 50 minutes, capitalising on Fran Bentley’s fumble from a corner.
A minute later, Kitching drove forward from midfield and unleashed a dipping effort from 25 yards to give Sunderland the lead. She then doubled her tally two minutes later, flicking in a loose ball.
Bristol City reduced the deficit in the 71st minute when Lloyd-Smith crashed home from close range to cap-off a good move, however, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
Both sides have home fixtures next weekend. Sunderland play host to Blackburn Rovers while Bristol City face Newcastle United.
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