Gutteridge double clinches cup for Sunderland

Natalie Gutteridge hit a double as Sunderland Women FC completed a League and Cup double with a 2-1 victory over Leeds United at Sixfields.

Gutteridge found the net with a close range header in the ninth minute after Sophie Williams’ deep cross was knocked back into the six-yard box by Beth Mead.

Despite Kelly McDougall missing a first-half penalty the Wearsider’s managed to double their lead in the 66th minute when Gutteridge headed in another Williams cross.

Leeds pulled a goal back late into stoppage time when Carey Huegett netted from the spot but Sunderland managed to hold on for victory and take the FA Women’s Premier League Cup.

After the match Sunderland manager Mick Mulhern told SportsByte: “I thought it was a good performance from start to finish.

“We played well and obviously taking the game by the scruff of the neck and getting the early goal that put us in the driving seat.


“I knew once we were in the driving seat that we weren’t going to let it slip.”

Leeds manager, Chris Welburn, admitted that Sunderland dominated the first half.

He said: “First half we were slow to get going. Sunderland were very strong and dominated proceedings but the second half we were a lot better.


“However their outstanding second goal clinched it as a contest but we never gave up.”

Sunderland started the match hoping to complete a first League and Cup double in the club’s history and were on top from the start.

The pace of Williams was a threat down the left and it was her deep cross which Mead nodded back across goal for Gutteridge to head past Julianna Draycott in the Leeds goal.

The Black Cats could have doubled their lead soon after when Williams nicked the ball off Faye Birkby in the box, only to see her shot gathered comfortable by Draycott.

Sunderland boss Mulhern had opted for a 4-5-1 formation with Williams and Mead on the flanks and it was a mazy run from Mead which led to the penalty.

The league’s top scorer outpaced Stacey Emmonds and was brought down by Leah Galton as she burst into the penalty area.

McDougall stepped up to the spot but Draycott saved well down to her left.

Leeds offered little threat to Rachael Laws goal in the first half – their closest effort coming from Galton’s 20-yard strike which just cleared the bar.

Mead looked to have a chance to double Sunderland’s advantage just before the break but Leeds’ Amy Turner got a toe to the ball just in time to make sure there was only one goal in it at the midway point.

Leeds came out for the second half much better and had half a chance to level in the 56th minute but the ball just evaded Clare Sykes after good work from Galton.

Gutteridge made sure the Yorkshire club paid for the missed opportunity when she doubled Sunderland’s advantage in the 66th minute.

Rachel Furness played a superb cross field ball into the path of Williams who once again beat the defender and delivered it on a plate for Gutteridge to head down low into the corner.

Sunderland looked like they were cruising as Keira Ramshaw, on in the place of Mead, gave them an energy boost but Leeds sensing that it was all or nothing pushed forward in search of a reply.

Williams went through on goal in the 90th minute but was denied a much deserved goal as Draycott came out and saved with her legs.

Leeds did manage to pull a goal back in the dying seconds of stoppage time when Furness was adjudged to have handled in the box and Carey Huegget sent Laws the wrong way from the spot.

Despite Leeds pulling a goal-back it was too late as Sunderland had the sense to head for the corner and see out the remaining seconds to ensure the trophy was going back to Wearside.

SportsByte Player of the match:

Natalie Gutteridge worked tirelessly upfront and took both goal’s well but Sophie Williams was a constant threat and delivered two perfect crosses for the goals and was a constant thorn in the side of the Leeds defence. Due to this Williams is my SportsByte player of the match.

Attendance: 641

Sunderland: Rachael Laws, Abby Holmes (Becky Salicki, 47), Vicki Greenwell, Rachel Furness, Gemma Wilson, Kelly McDougall, Beth Mead (Keira Ramshaw, 73), Natalie Gutteridge, Sophie Williams, Nicola Devine, Rachel Lee.

Unused subs: Sarah McFadden, Robin Chidester, Jordan Atkinson.

Leeds: Julianna Draycott, Stacey Emmonds (Emma Johnson, 52), Hayley Sharp, Faye Birkby (Emma Lipman, 52), Clare Sykes, Carey Huegett, Tanya Rich (Sarah Danby,68), Leah Galton, Vanessa Holmes, Amy Turner, Jessica Holbrook.

Unused subs: Emma Coates, Rebekah Bass.

http://sportsbyte.sunderland.ac.uk/?p=14233


Nice one the lasses.

 

Nice to see the lasses putting the effort in mate maybe the lads should take note.