Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland will be looking to build on their respective FA Women’s Championship victories recorded at the weekend when the pair meet at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup on Thursday.
This will be the first game in the group stage for Gemma Donnelly’s Rovers side whereas Sunderland have already played in the competition, winning 4-2 on penalties at Sheffield United after the game finished 1-1 in 90 minutes.
Rovers’ 3-2 victory over Coventry United on Sunday moved them eight points clear of the bottom of the FA Women’s Championship. It also stopped a run of three consecutive league defeats.
After the game, Rovers boss Donnelly indicated that the fixture against Sunderland would be a chance for some of her players who didn’t start on Sunday to make appearances. This may open up chances for players such as Eleanor Heeps, Helen Seed and Mia Parry while the likes of Ellie Leek and Aimee Hodgson could also start. Rovers will still be without Emma Doyle and Milly Robertson who are sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Opponents Sunderland sit in fifth position in the FA Women’s Championship, two points above Rovers. The Lady Black Cats have enjoyed a good start to the season and returned to winning ways after suffering back-to-back league defeats with a 1-0 victory at Charlton Athletic on Sunday, Grace McCatty’s goal being the difference. Head coach Melanie Reay could opt to rotate her squad, however, she remains without Iris Achterhof and Emily Hutchinson.
The two sides last met at The Stadium of Light in September with Sunderland winning that game 2-0 thanks to goals from Neve Herron and Emily Scarr.
The FA Women’s Continental League Cup fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland kicks-off at 7.45pm on Thursday evening. Cashless turnstiles will be in operation on the night.
By Matthew Ward
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