Sunderland Women returned to winning ways in the Barclays Women's Super League 2 on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road. Goals from Sanni Franssi and Elise Hughes in the first half proved decisive, with Vera Jones scoring a second-half consolation for Watford.
The result extended Sunderland's unbeaten start to the new WSL2 season to four matches. Head Coach Mel Reay made seven changes from Wednesday's 4-2 defeat to Liverpool in the Subway Players Cup, with Hughes returning to lead the line and Rhiannon Roberts captaining the side.
First-half dominance
Sunderland looked threatening from the opening minutes. Elise Hughes' early shot was saved by Watford goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel, while Katie Kitching fired over the crossbar.
Franssi opened the scoring in the 18th minute when she volleyed home Tess Laplacette's cross into the bottom right corner. Hughes doubled the lead 10 minutes later after a knock-down from Franssi; Jessica Brown poked the ball goalwards and Hughes guided it over the line.
Second half
Shortly after the break, Rhiannon Roberts' header drew a stunning reaction save from Middleton-Patel as Sunderland pressed for a third. Kitching was also denied by the Watford goalkeeper's outstretched leg.
Watford pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining when Vera Jones' free-kick curled over Fran Stenson and into the back of the net. Sunderland almost restored their two-goal advantage when Kitching's cross was deflected goalwards by Watford's Lucy Lyon, but Middleton-Patel clawed the effort away.
Next fixture
Sunderland Women return to Eppleton Colliery Welfare on Sunday for their final match before the international break, hosting recently-relegated Leicester City with a 2pm kick-off.
