Lady Cats Lewes their way in clash

ELLIE Mason and Izzy Dalton scored on their debuts as Lewes beat Sunderland 2-0 in an FA Women’s Championship clash which saw both sides end the game with ten players.

Dalton’s early goal put Lewes ahead before Mason doubled her side’s lead just before half time.

Freda Ayisi’s second yellow card gave the visitors hope after the break.

However, the Black Cats later relinquished their numerical advantage after a reckless challenge from Grace McCatty and slipped to a sixth league defeat of the season.

Lewes made a blistering start and were rewarded for their attacking intent five minutes in when Dalton’s powerful strike beat Allison Cowling in the Sunderland net.

Cowling then made an incredible save to deny the lively Lucy Ashworth-Clifford when the Lewes player looked destined to score following a superb pass from Ayisi.

Five minutes later, Lewes were on the back foot as 21-year-old Maltese international Maria Farrugia went close with a longrange shot well saved by Tatiana Saunders.

A second goal felt on its way and it was the hosts who found it as Mason opened her Lewes account following a goalmouth scramble which ended with her smashing the ball home from close range.

After a quiet start to the second pelriod, the Wearsiders were handed a 55th-minute lifeline when Ayisi received a second booking for a late challenge on Neve Herron.

Despite being a player down, though, Lewes defended well to keep the Black Cats out.

The game ended with ten against ten after McCatty was shown a straight red for a foul on Georgia Timms as Lewes ran out comfortable winners.