Scarr nets winning goal for Lady Cats to leave Brighouse wounded
Emily Scarr netted a stunning goal as Sunderland Ladies edged out Brighouse Town 1-0 to reach the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup.
The young forward, who has endured a difficult couple of weeks, struck midway through the second half to book her side’s place in the draw for the next round and avoid a cup upset against the National League opponents.
Looking to bounce back from last week’s heavy defeat to Aston Villa, Mel Reay endured more selection headaches with Charlotte Potts (illness) and Abbey Joice (personal reasons) joining Grace McCatty, Faye Mullen, Jess Brown and Emily Hutchinson on the absentee list.
England youth international Grace Ede was handed her first senior start in a strong line up which included captain Kiera Ramshaw but, with the squad down to its bare bones, only three substitutes were named on the bench.
In the early stages there were chances for both sides – Brighouse forcing a good save from Alison Cowling and then rattling the crossbar either side of Ramshaw heading over and having a low strike well held by Imogen Maguire.
Sunderland struck the woodwork themselves on the half hour through Holly Manders with Ramshaw reacting first to tap in the rebound which was ruled offside.
In stoppage time, Emma Kelly fired wide after skipping
past two defenders as the first half ended goalless. The midfielder was involved again immediately after the break, collecting Maria Farrugia’s pass in the box, but her shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
With 25 minutes to go, the breakthrough arrived in spectacular fashion – Farrugia strode forward from midfield and found Scarr who took a touch to steady herself
and smashed the ball into the top corner.
Brighouse toiled to find an equaliser, Cowling making another good save to palm a speculative effort away for a corner.
At the other end, Scarr almost returned Farrugia’s favour by cutting the ball back into the box from the left but the Malta international couldn’t keep her shot down.
Sunderland: Cowling; Beer, Griffiths, Herron, Kelly; Manders, Farrugia, Ede, McInnes, Ramshaw; Scarr.
Subs not used: Moan, Blakey, Burt.
*Former Manchester United and Sunderland winger Adnan Januzaj has been linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.
Januzaj is currently at La Liga club Real Sociedad in LaLiga
but could leave for free when his contract expires next summer. The Belgium international spent on a season-long loan at Sunderland from Manchester United as he looked to get his career back on track.
But it didn’t work out as Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League with Januzaj far from impressive at the Stadium of Light.
Barca are said to be looking for ways to work around their estimated £1.16billion worth of debt in the transfer market.
Reports in Spain suggest Januzaj has been earmarked a potential signing when his contract expires.
Januzaj was seen as a huge prospect when he joined United from Anderlecht as a 16-year-old in 2011.