Following their recent league victory over the London City Lionesses and a midweek cup win against Sheffield United, Sunderland Women were eager to maintain their good form in a challenging away fixture against Charlton. Manager Mel Reay decided to stick with the same lineup that had faced London City the previous Sunday, with one exception: Eleanor Dale made way for Katy Watson. Dale’s absence from the squad sparked fan speculation, with most assuming she was either unwell or being rested.
The bench appeared somewhat light, as Sunderland are currently dealing with several key players out due to injury. Nevertheless, 17-year-olds Ella West and Emily Cassap kept their spots in the squad, while seasoned players like Megan Borthwick and Megan Beer added valuable experience alongside the increasingly impressive Libbi McInnes. Charlton kicked off proceedings at The Valley, immediately pressing Sunderland hard in the opening minutes. However, Sunderland soon found their rhythm, and their front line—Emily Scarr, Mary McAteer, Katy Watson, and Katie Kitching—began to trouble the Charlton defense with their pace.
Sunderland began to dictate play, demonstrating impressive passing as they built attacks from the back. The midfield pairing of Natasha Fenton and Jenna Dear was instrumental, threading through balls and distributing well to the wings. In the 8th minute, Emily Scarr won a free-kick just outside the box after being fouled while surging toward goal. Set-piece specialist Katie Kitching stepped up and, with deceptive skill, curled the ball past Charlton goalkeeper Jessica Gray to give Sunderland a 1-0 lead. Sunderland gained confidence, applying pressure on Charlton by forcing turnovers and stifling their attempts to play out from the back. While they continued to play attractive football, they were wary of Charlton’s counter-attacking threat.
Goalkeeper Demi Lambourne showed bravery, diving into a dangerous situation to collect the ball and take a knock in the process. As the first half progressed, Sunderland continued to dominate, and in the 24th minute, a well-worked move between Fenton and Dear resulted in a cross into the Charlton box. The ball ricocheted kindly for Jessie Stapleton, who headed home to make it 2-0. At this point, Sunderland looked comfortable, but Charlton soon responded. The hosts ramped up the pressure, particularly down the left wing, and in the 31st minute, Kayleigh Barton’s looping header over Lambourne cut the deficit to 2-1.
The rest of the first half was evenly contested, with both teams producing end-to-end football that kept the fans entertained. As the second half got underway, the match remained closely fought, with both sides determined to add to their goal tally. Sunderland’s Scarr and Kitching were particularly effective, harrying Charlton in the midfield. However, as the game progressed, Charlton began to see more of the ball, capitalizing on Sunderland’s tiring legs.
Sunderland manager Mel Reay made her first change, bringing on Megan Beer for Katy Watson, and this tactical adjustment initially paid off. Jessica Brown, moving to the wing, pushed forward while Beer shored up the defense. Yet, Charlton continued to press for an equalizer, making several substitutions to refresh their attack. In the 78th minute, Kitching delivered a corner into the box, where Jenna Dear met it with a stunning first-time volley, restoring Sunderland’s two-goal advantage at 3-1.
But just as Sunderland seemed poised to take all three points, Charlton struck back. A long-range effort from Charlton slipped through Lambourne’s grasp in the 81st minute, allowing Karin Muya to tap in the rebound and bring the score to 3-2. Sunderland made a final substitution, replacing Grace Ede with Kiera Flannery, but Charlton were not done yet. In the 85th minute, another quick Charlton attack saw Muya chip the ball over Lambourne to equalize at 3-3.
The closing stages of the game were tense, with nine minutes of added time and both teams searching for a winner. Sunderland, visibly deflated after surrendering their lead, held on to secure a point. Although the 3-3 draw felt more like two points dropped than one gained, Sunderland’s overall performance was still their best of the season. The high press, sharp attacking play, and the variety of their goals were all positive signs of progress.
There’s plenty for Sunderland to take from this game—both lessons learned and moments to build on. With the Wear/Tyne derby against Newcastle United Women at the Stadium of Light next Sunday, Sunderland now have the perfect opportunity to bounce back in what promises to be an unforgettable match. Fans are already gearing up for the occasion, and the Lasses will be eager to prove themselves on the big stage.