Sunderland Women's Stadium of Light woes continue with loss to Birmingham
The Stadium of Light is not a happy hunting ground for Sunderland Women who saw their six-game unbeaten run come to an end, falling to a 1-0 defeat to league leaders Birmingham City.
An early goal from Lee Geum-Min sent the Black Cats to their second successive defeat at the stadium this season.
The Black Cats had not lost in the league since their last visit to the 48,707-seater, but remain without a win at the ground after failing to turn this game around.
The hosts rarely left their half in the opening 20 minutes, with Birmingham proving their quality. Within five minutes a handful of Blues chances resulted in a defensive mishap as Sunderland keeper Demi Lambourne was caught out.
It let Simone Magill square the ball for Lee Geum-Min who lifted the ball into the net.
A breakthrough looked like it was coming closer for the Black Cats as they fashioned a couple of chances down the flanks. Around 30 minutes in, Eleanor Dale was slipped through on goal, but her shot was parried by a charging Lucy Thomas. The two clashed in the tackle and both were forced off injured.
The break in play suited Sunderland who could rally and reorganise. A couple of chances came from set pieces, but none enough to challenge PSG loanee Olivia Szperkowska who had replaced Thomas in goal – even if she looked shaky under pressure.
Finally an equaliser looked like it was there for the hosts. A header from sub Brianna Westrup was spectacularly cleared off the line by Neve Herron who kept the visitors ahead with a contribution as good as a goal.
Half-time came and went and there was a sense the urgency at the end of Sunderland’s first-half had fallen away. One chance from distance was all they had to show for in the second-half’s opening 15 minutes.
As seagulls circled the pitch in the hopes of some scraps, it was Birmingham that looked the most likely of grabbing a scrappy goal in the final 25 minutes.
A result was slipping away from Sunderland as Birmingham attempted to lock the game down, defending resolutely when tested and a game which could have ended with Sunderland top of the league, ends with them staying in sixth.
The Black Cats travel to high-flyers London City Lionesses next in the league and will look to stay in the promotion race as much as they can.
SAFC starting XI: Lambourne, Stapleton, Goddard, Brown, Corbyn, McInnes, Dear, Scarr, Fenton, Jones, Dale
Subs not used: Borthwick, McCatty, Ede, Beer, Dunbar
