Sunderland Ladies pay penalty in narrow away defeat to Rovers
Keira Ramshaw missed a stoppage-time penalty as Sunderland Ladies lost 2-1 to Blackburn Rovers in the Women’s Championship.
Saffron Jordan and Annabel Blanchard scored either side of half time to give the hosts a commanding lead with substitute Holly Manders’ equaliser igniting hopes of a comeback.
With 90 seconds to go, captain Ramshaw stepped up after Maria Farrugia was fouled in the box, but her well-struck spot kick was brilliantly saved by Alex Brooks as the Black Cats slipped to a defeat.
Buoyedbylastweek’svictory over Charlton, the visitors started well, Grace McCatty glancing a header just wide. But Blackburn fought their way back into the game as the half wore on.
Jordan, a constant threat throughout, stabbed inches past the far post before her powerful strike from the edge of the area was blocked and gathered by Claudia Moan.
A quick free kick over the topalmostcaughtouttheaway side’s defence but Moan again was in the right place to deny Megan Hornby.
But, from the resulting corner,Roverstookthelead.Natasha Fenton’s floated ball was headed back across the face of goal and Saffron couldn’t miss as she smashed home from four yards.
Blanchard was next to test Moan as the midfielder tried to sweep the ball into the corner, with her effort was easily
saved after being blocked by McCatty.
Sunderland then crafted a coupleofchances–EmmaKelly’s corner was headed over by EmilyScarr,Ramshaw’sswerving free-kick flashed past the upright and then Maria Farrugia turned smartly on the edge of the box but fired straight at thegoalkeeperonthestrokeof half-time.
The Malta international
had a sight of goal after the interval,jinkingherwaypastseveral Blackburn defenders only toscuffhershotintothehands of Brooks.
Crompton and Blanchard then tried their luck from distance, with the latter extending her side’s lead on the hour. Jordanwontheballdeepinthe Sunderland half and played it to the Rovers number 10 who blasted past Moan.
But three minutes later Manders–oninplaceoftheinjured Neve Herron – made an almost instant impact. Scarr’s cross bounced up in the area and the midfielder held off a defendertohalf-volleybeyond Brooks.
The comeback was nearly stopped in its tracks as Blanchard found space 25 yards out and delicately chipped over the head of Moan, but the
ball bounced off the inside of thewoodworkandwascleared.
In the first minute of stoppagetimecamethelatedrama. A through pass was fumbled by Brooks into the path of Farrugia, who was bundled over by a Blackburn defender. After a long delay as the referee cleared the box, Ramshaw strode forward only to be denied the equaliser by a superb dive by the goalkeeper.
It was yet another disappointing defeat for Sunderlandbutarenowonlyonepoint awayfromtheseason’stargetof playingChampionshipfootball next season.
Sunderland:Moan;Griffiths, Towers, McCatty, Brown; Kelly, Herron (Manders 67’), Joice; Scarr, Farrugia, Ramshaw. Subs: Cowling, Boyes, Mullen, Blakey, Ede, McInnes, Watson, Burt.