Black Cats’ ladies aim to hit ground running

SUNDERLAND Ladies begin a new era when they get their 2017 campaign under way at the Hetton Centre this afternoon.

The Lady Black Cats host second-tier club Aston Villa in a last 16 Women’s FA Cup tie.

Villa have already played five games and are unbeaten, Sunderland hoping to hit the ground running.

Last season, the Wearsiders second in Women’s Super League 1, was a hard slog bringing just two wins and a third-bottom finish.

The close season has been a traumatic one with the club reverting back to part-time status in a mainly professional top flight.

A number of players have departed following that shock decision, the most notable star striker Beth Mead to Arsenal.

Brooke Chaplen and midfield power house Rachel Furness have joined Reading, who finished below the Cats last season.

Goalkeeper Rachael Laws, meanwhile, has dropped down a division to join local rivals Durham.

Sunderland have a new Head Coach in place with long-serving former striker Mel Reay replacing Carlton Fairweather, who declined part-time terms.

“It is a great honour for me to manage this special club, which has been close to my heart for almost 20 years as a player, coach and now manager,” said Reay.

“We have some great young players coming through and will be looking to consolidate and improve together.”

Sunderland have strengthened their squad with two foreign imports, goalkeeper Anke Preuss and midfielder Dominique Bruinenberg. Mel Reay is now Cats coach