Sunderland suffer derby day defeat at St James' Park

A sensational super sub performance and three set-pieces were the tale of the day at St James' Park as Newcastle United Women defeated Sunderland Women.

- by Sport Reporter

Both sides came into the game in mixed form in the WSL 2 with the Magpies being led by Claire Ditchburn on an interim basis following the departure of Becky Langley. And it was the hosts who enjoyed the better of the opening stages, dominating the ball without really testing Grace Moloney in the Black Cats net.

That was the story of much of the first period as the hosts dominated the ball, but couldn't fashion openings at goal. Shania Hayles came closest to opening the scoring, but saw her effort blocked.