PLAYER RATINGS & REPORT: SAFC Ladies 4-3 Middlesbrough Women - Cup derby victory for the Lasses!

Sunderland Ladies progressed to the next round of the FA Cup with a 4-3 win over an impressive Middlesbrough side.

Boro took an early lead on 10, but two quick goals put the Lasses into the lead. A Leonie Hutchinson own goal following a Bridget Galloway penalty. Tyler Dodds equalised instantly, but another own goal, this time from Olivia Watt, put the Lasses back into the lead.

Emily Scarr levelled on 64, although Galloway won it in the 69th minute.

The win means Sunderland Ladies unbeaten run continues, winning all but one of their games this term.

Middlesbrough started in the ascendancy and took the game to Sunderland early doors and, aided by the wind, took the lead when Claudia Moan saved well from a windswept strike, but her rebound cannoned off Dobson and into the net.

The Lasses got back into the game on 24 minutes though, with Farrugia fouled in the area, top scorer Galloway smashed home her spot-kick. With Mel Reay’s side fully in control, Jess Brown hit the post after a Ramshaw free kick was blocked.

They took the lead shortly afterwards, when Louise Griffiths’ cross was sliced by Hutchinson and looped over Wareham in the net. Dodds equalised within seconds though, her corner swerving directly into the net to restore parity at half-time.

As conditions worsened, the unlucky Boro turned into their own net once more, following another Griffiths cross from the right. Scarr’s schintalating strike levelled scored shortly afterwards, but it was to be a red and white day as goal machine Galloway grabbed her second twenty minutes from the end.

It puts the Lasses into round two of the FA Cup and gives them their second derby win of the campaign

Player ratings:

Claudia Moan 7/10

Made some great saves in difficult conditions.

Neve Herron 6/10

Looked uncomfortable at centre back, but tidy playing out from the back.

Louise Griffiths 7/10

Two assists. Good game.

Charlotte Potts 6/10

Dependable and did well in tough conditions.

Faye Mullen 5/10

Really struggled against Dodds.

Keira Ramshaw 7/10

Kept her team going when they started slow.

Mollie Lamert 5/10

Unusually quiet.

Maria Farrugia 6/10

Always a threat, but needed to release it faster and lost it far too often.

Katie Barker 6/10

Conditions, again, made it difficult but kept going.

Jess Brown 8/10

Great performance, anything good came from her.

Bridget Galloway 8/10

Goal machine.

Women of the match: Jess Brown