LADIES’ FA CUP DREAMS OVER AFTER FYLDE LOSS
SUNDERLAND LADIES CRASH OUT OF THE WOMEN’S FA CUP ON HOME TURF
Sunderland Ladies crashed out of the Women’s FA Cup when they were beaten 3-1 by Fylde Ladies yesterday.
The Lady Black Cats couldn’t make the most of home advantage as the visitors proved too clinical.
Danielle Young and Sophie Charlton gave Fylde a 2-0 half-time lead and although Katie Barker gave Sunderland hope, a stoppage-time strike from Emily Hollinshead sealed the away side’s passage into the third round.
Sunderland had announced the signing of midfielder Niamh McLaughlin before the game, with the Irish ace taking her place among the substitutes.
There was disruption before kick off as, in a startling mirror image of the men’s FA Cup tie 24 hours earlier when Chris Maguire was forced out of the starting XI, Megan Beer was injured in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Erika Warren.
After a bright opening by both sides, Fylde took a 13thminute lead when captain Young fired a free-kick into the top corner.
Sunderland pressed for an equaliser and the closest they came was in the 42nd minute when Emily Hutchinson was denied by a double save by Fylde keeper Brittany Jackson.
And just a minute later, the visitors extended their lead when Charlton tapped home after Allison Cowling had saved from Hollinshead.
Sunderland came out firing after the interval and skipper Kiera Ramshaw went close to pulling a goal back, only to see her effort strike the post after good work from Bridget Galloway.
Chances continued to be made, with Galloway denied by Jackson, before substitute Barker gave Sunderland hope when he cross-shot was helped in by the Fylde keeper with 12 minutes left.
However, as the Lady Black Cats pushed for an equaliser, it was Hollinshead who completed the scoring by firing into the bottom corner.
There was still time for Ramshaw to hit the bar with a 96th minute effort but it was Fylde who left the Hetton Centre celebrating.
Sunderland are back in cup action next weekend at Blackburn Rovers in the National League Cup.