<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2nvHGo_0w5RvDS400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2nvHGo_0w5RvDS400" width="820" height="1093" ></figure>After a promising performance against promotion contenders Charlton last weekend, the hope was that the lasses could emulate what they did well in that match and take it into this huge fixture early on in the season.Mel Reay opted for an almost unchanged side to that of last weekend, with only Eleanor Dale coming in to replace Katy Watson, after the former was ruled out with concussion against Charlton.The squad featured a young bench with many academy/RTC products including Ella West, Mary Corbyn, Niyah Dunbar, Libbi McInnes and Katy Watson.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"> Our XI to take on Newcastle in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WearTyneDerby?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WearTyneDerby</a>! <a href="https://t.co/xDPkSe1yc5">pic.twitter.com/xDPkSe1yc5</a>— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAFCWomen/status/1845434353943232886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>The match got underway to cacophony of noise from both fans, with Sunderland looking the most lively of the two. Just three minutes on the clock and Jenna Dear hits a delightful cross into the path of Mary McAteer out on the left wing. The winger brings it down wonderfully and hits a shot from a difficult angle, causing a great reactionary save from Claudia Moan to concede a corner.Minutes later, Sunderland once again have an opportunity after Emily Scarr does well to intercept a pass and crosses the ball towards the back post. Dear rises to head the ball, but she just doesn't have the height to make a connection. The ball falls to McAteer at the back post to line up the shot, however the linesman flags for offside.Another opportunity just a minute later, as once again Sunderland intercepted a pass via Eleanor Dale. The striker plays in a dangerous ball over the Newcastle defence towards McAteer, but the Welsh international's first touch lets her down.It is in the 9th minute when Newcastle have their first real opportunity when a corner is floated in towards the back post and ex-Sunderland player Rachel Furness is there to head it towards goal. But her shot thankfully goes over the crossbar.At this point, the game began to even out more and Newcastle found their rhythm, primarily down the right wing. Fortunately, Sunderland were playing on the front foot and would quickly step forward to intercept any passes. Eleanor Dale in particular, impressed with her reading of the game and constant press. However, it was Newcastle who once again had the opportunity to open the scoring. After winning a freekick out on the right, the ball was sent deep towards the back post. With Furness once again rising highest to head the ball goalwards. Her header fortuitously trickled across the goal mouth and out for a goal kick before anyone was able to tap it home.As the game reached the half-hour stage, Katie Kitching had the chance to give Sunderland the lead when she received the ball in the box. Unfortunately, her shot was tame on her weaker foot and was saved rather comfortably by Moan.It feels like the story of Sunderland Women’s season, as they were again left to rue their early chances.In the 29th minute, Beth Lumsden got her first of the afternoon when she burst down the left wing and beat Jessica Brown to cut inside and strike a vicious shot into the top corner to give Newcastle the lead. <img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4fUnWC_0w5RvDS400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4fUnWC_0w5RvDS400" width="1920" height="1672" >Newcastle were in the ascendency and were buoyed by their vociferous support in the North East corner as they looked to mount attack after attack down the right wing.But Sunderland and Grace Ede stood strong. The lasses continued to push back, with Dale having a great opportunity to grab an equaliser before halftime. However, Moan stood up tall and was able to close down the shot.Dale again had another chance just moments later when Scarr crossed the ball into the box, but her header went past Moan and past the crossbar.In the final minute of the half, Newcastle had a brilliant opportunity to make it 2-0 when they countered quickly down the right wing. Thankfully for everyone of a red and white persuasion, Amy Goddard made a superb last ditch tackle to take her player and the ball away from harm's way.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">⏸️ Behind at the break.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WearTyneDerby?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WearTyneDerby</a><a href="https://t.co/QhRLLPc3Mq">pic.twitter.com/QhRLLPc3Mq</a>— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAFCWomen/status/1845462542639927517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote>One change was made at halftime, with Newcastle bringing on Hannah Greenwood for Rachel Furness, who seemed to have a hamstring injury.Sunderland would’ve wanted to race straight out from the blocks and hit Newcastle hard to get an equaliser. However, unfortunately, that plan was scuppered almost immediately.In the 48th minute Beth Lumsden grabbed her second of the game direct from a corner. You can argue that there appears to be a foul on Sunderland goalkeeper Demi Lambourne, however I feel like we have to be much more defensively organised on set pieces. As well as ultimately not conceding a set piece. Particularly as it came through our mistake at the back.Sunderland did have an opportunity to reduce the deficit minutes later when Jessie Stapleton rose the highest at the back post from a corner. But her header went over the crossbar much to my chagrin.Newcastle could’ve gone 3-0 up when they broke through Sunderland’s defensive line and through onto goal. Thankfully Lambourne was on hand literally, to rush off her line and smother the ball.The lasses seemed to waver at this stage and lacked ideas when going forward. Unlike the first 10/15 minutes of the first half where we saw the relentless press of Newcastle when they were in possession. We were allowing them to take their time with picking their pass, which suited them well as they looked to manage the game out given the score and time left on the clock. The only real player who looked to be trying and putting up a fight was Mary McAteer who was everywhere on the pitch, looking to press, intercept and win the ball back where possible.Perhaps only then sensing the game was getting away from us, Mel Reay made her first change of the afternoon. Bringing on Libbi McInnes to replace Katie Kitching in the ten role.Almost immediately after the substitution. Sunderland seemed to find some more life in them and quickly the pendulum shifted in their favour. In the 75th minute, Natasha Fenton curls a ball into the box and Emily Scarr is there to poke it home. Though having watched the footage back, it certainly seems to be an own goal.With Sunderland finding some confidence and impetus, they were beginning to get forward in numbers to attack the Newcastle goal. However, in doing so they left gaps in behind. Newcastle had the opportunity to make it 3-1 when Demi Stokes received the ball in the box, however Lambourne made herself big and pulled off a tremendous save to keep the lasses in with a chance.Sunderland were attacking relentlessly now and Newcastle were struggling at times to contain them. Particularly with Katy Watson being brought into the action to replace Eleanor Dale. But unfortunately, that pressure was for naught, as Sunderland never really tested Claudia Moan in the Newcastle goal.Despite a rallying cry from fans across the stadium when the fourth official indicated seven minutes of additional time. The lasses squandered any real opportunities they had on goal, lacking that distinctive and clinical edge they had last weekend against Charlton.The referee blew for full time, and the Sunderland players fell to the ground In exhaustion and disappointment, whilst those in black and white ran over to the North East corner for rapturous applause.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1yMGCQ_0w5RvDS400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1yMGCQ_0w5RvDS400" width="1920" height="1280" >It’s hard to summarise that performance and result in all honesty. I could produce a litany of words to describe it, but none would so succinctly cover it as much as disappointed and frustrated would. In all honesty, I think both teams had a poor game and were off the mark in terms of how they could perform. You need only look at Newcastle's relentless attack in their 1-0 defeat to Durham last weekend and Sunderland’s 3-3 draw against Charlton.So much potential and the makings are there, but unfortunately what we are seeing once again are mistakes created via ourselves. We continue to put ourselves in situations where we allow the opposition to look the gift horse in the mouth and take it. In fact, we hand them the reigns.I don’t wish to be overly critical as I know the players will know deep down themselves that they were off the mark today and did not put in the fight we saw so often last season. However, to gloss over the issues and mistakes would be a disservice to the fans (myself included) who had to watch that 97-minute game of football. The midfield trio who were so instrumental to our success and tantalising football last season, looked a shadow of themselves today in a game that really called for them to rise to the occasion.Players who have the potential to impact and change games are ultimately being brought on far too late to have a real opportunity to make their mark.Are we playing the best system, formation, and tactics to get the best from all our players? But also are we becoming too predictable in how we play?I’m not the manager obviously and don’t have the background, wealth of knowledge and coaching experience to say what is best. But these are my thoughts and observations as someone who is first and foremost a fan, before a writer.Today’s result has given everyone a lot to think about. The lasses have six days now to put things right on the training field and make amends on the pitch this Sunday as Sunderland once again gave another strong contest and occasion as they travel down the A690 to face Durham Women.Regardless of the result today and our disappointment, we as fans need to continue to support this team through its hard times. It is important to acknowledge the rough run of opponents we have had so far this season and that we are only a quarter of the way through the 24/25 campaign. With only more away games (after Durham) this year against Sheffield United, let’s continue to back the lasses and turn out at home games. Let’s see them through these tough times, as we have continued to do so after all these years, and hope that a positive result next Sunday will be a turning point in our season.Haway The Lasses!<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=15JkDb_0w5RvDS400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=15JkDb_0w5RvDS400" width="1920" height="1280" ><h2>Roker Report is a proud partner of the #HerGameToo campaign! </h2><h2>The grassroots movement fighting against sexism in football. </h2></div></body>

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Match Report: Sunderland Women lose 2-1 against Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne Derby

After a promising performance against promotion contenders Charlton last weekend, the hope was that the lasses could emulate what they did well in that match and take it into this huge fixture early on in the season. Mel Reay opted for an almost unchanged side to that of last weekend,...

Match Report: Sunderland Women lose 2-1 against Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne Derby

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