A SARRI STRIKE GOT US A HARD FOUGHT POINT AGAINST THE BLACK CATS.

Blues had to come from behind to get a hard-fought point at the Stadum Of Light this against Mel Reay’s Sunderland side, who took the lead from Emily Scarr but a beautiful curling effort from Veatriki Sarri  got the blues a well-deserved point to make it four points from two games for Amy’s girls in Blue. Amy made two changes from the victory over Bristol City bringing in Neve Herron for Lucy Newell and Batcheba Louis making her first start for the club.

FIRST HALF

The first chance of the game was a well worked corner from blues which was head well by Shannon Cooke but was cleared off the line from Rhiannon Roberts in the 17^th minute.

The next chance was so close for Blues taking when Magill found some space and her shot just went wide of the post in the 22^nd minute.

Then in the 35^th minute Christe Harrison-Murray shot went over the bar.

Then it was Harrison-Murray again but this time her effort went into the side netting.

HALF TIME SUNDERLAND 0-0 BLUES WOMEN

SECOND HALF 

The first chance of the second half was for Blues when Lois pace down the wing found Chelsea Cornett whose shot was blocked fell to Sarri whose shot went for a corner in the 47^th minute.

In the 53^rd Sunderland had their first shot of the game, but it went over the bar from Brown.

Then in the 54^th minute Lily Crosthwaite had a shot that went over the bar. Two minutes later a Rebecca Holloway shot went wide.

But then the breakthrough came when Emily Scarr broke free of the defence and put it past Lucy Thomas to make it 1-0 to the black cats in the 59^th minute.

But Blues responded straight away when Veatriki Sarri cut inside the box and curled it into the corner passed a standing Grace Moloney a brilliant finish from the Greek international in the 62^nd minute.

Then in the 66^th minute a great opportunity for Blues to double the lead with a great counterattack when Ji played in Lily Crosthwaite who was in one on one with goalkeeper, but Moloney pulled out a great save . From the corner Shannon Cooke’s shot went over the bar.

Then yet again Lily Crosthwaite had another opportunity but this time it went wide of the post in the 69^th minute.

Then two minutes later Ji shot went wide of the post.

Katie Kitchen had a brilliant chance to put the black cats back in front, but her effort was saved by Thomas in the 76^th minute.

Then a huge chance for Sunderland when Ji’s poor back pass to Lucy Thomas was cut out by Kiera Barry and her shot went agonising past the post in the 83^rd minute.

The last chance of the game came for Christie Harrison-Murray whose shot rattled the crossbar in the 92^nd minute.

FULL TIME SUNDERLAND 1-1 BLUES WOMEN

MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME 

A decent point on the road for Amy and the girls yes, we could have won it but also, we could have lost it with Barry’s big chance after a poor pass by Lee to Thomas . At the end of the season this point could be key for us in going up into the WSL yes, we played well but you have to give credit to Sunderland and Mel Reay’s defence was outstanding  especially my player of the match Louise Griffiths who was outstanding today for the black cats. Blues frustration will be the shots on target only two yes, we did have twenty-four shots, and we did hit crossbar towards the end of the game from Christie Harrison-Murray but two shots on target will frustrate Amy.  But the goal we did score was class from Veatriki Sarri back on the score sheet in a Blues shirt . And four points from two games is a decent start after two hard fought games against two promotion rivals is nothing to be disappointed at. And it was great to see Oceane getting some time on the pitch coming off the bench showing the qualities’ she got and of course Ji it will take time for them to adapted to the WSL2.

MY PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Like I said early I have to give to Louise Griffth’s her defensive play was outstanding today.

UP NEXT 

We back at home has we play one of the best sides I had seen from last season in Newcastle United.

buy tickets here – https://www.eticketing.co.uk/bcfc/EDP/Event/Index/5262?position=1

KRO STEPHEN GILL