Lasses Match Report: Last Minute Heartache
· Yahoo Sports
There’s something uniquely draining about following Sunderland. It doesn’t matter if it’s the men or the women, home or away, top of the league or fighting at the bottom – supporting this club is a guarantee of emotional whiplash. The highs and lows often come in the same ninety minutes. Tonight’s 2–2 draw against Sheffield United was another perfect example: a game that offered hope, threatened disaster, gave us pure joy, then snatched it away right at the death.
It was a huge chance for the Lasses. A victory would have put some welcome breathing space between themselves and the relegation spots while pushing Sheffield United further into the mire. On paper it looked winnable. In reality, Sunderland once again made sure it was anything but straightforward.
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There were two changes to the starting eleven. Caragh Hamilton came in at left-back for the suspended Louise Griffiths, and Emily Scarr started up front in place of Eleanor Dale. The rest of the side was unchanged: Demi Lambourne in goal, Hamilton, Roberts, Westrup and Brown across the back, Sheva and Fenton in central midfield, Mared Griffiths on the left, Katie Kitching in the number ten role, Katy Watson on the right, and Scarr leading the line.
From the very first whistle Sunderland were horribly slow. Lethargic, disconnected and oddly passive, they let Sheffield United take control. Passes went astray, touches were heavy, and there was no tempo whatsoever. The Blades pressed with real intent and deservedly took the lead. A cross from the right caused panic in the box, the ball bounced around kindly for Amy Andrews, and she finished neatly past Lambourne. One-nil down after just a few minutes, and nobody in red and white could really argue it was unjust.
Worse, the goal didn’t wake them up. The sluggishness lingered. Sunderland stayed sloppy and static. Scarr was left isolated, Watson and Mared Griffiths saw little of the ball in dangerous areas, and Kitching was squeezed out of the game. Sheffield United simply sat in their shape, frustrated their hosts, and strolled to half-time with a comfortable lead and barely a shot to worry about. It was football in slow motion.
Whatever was said in the dressing room at half-time clearly hit home, as it so often does. Sunderland came out like a different team. The passing had zip, the movement was sharper, and the belief was back. They started dominating the ball. Hamilton and Brown pushed on from full-back, Watson began running at defenders, and Kitching started finding those dangerous pockets again.
The equaliser was worth the wait. Katy Watson swung in a teasing cross from the right, and Katie Kitching, full of confidence, produced a lovely chipped finish over the keeper and into the top corner. Game on.
The momentum swung firmly in Sunderland’s favour. Then came the latest twist: Charlie Devlin picked up a second yellow card and Sheffield were down to ten men with half an hour left. Sunderland had the momentum, the belief and an extra player. This felt like their moment.
Mel Reay wasted no time, bringing Eleanor Dale on for Kitching. Scarr shifted wide, Mared Griffiths moved into the attacking midfield role. Dale almost made an instant impact when the Sheffield keeper gifted her an open goal, but her confidence is clearly shot at the moment and she dragged her shot horribly wide. It was a painful moment that told its own story.
Sunderland kept pressing. They had the territory and the chances, but the clinical edge simply wasn’t there. Most efforts were tame or straight at Rogers in the Blades’ goal.
Then, in the 94th minute, came what looked like redemption. Jessica Brown drove forward and delivered a brilliant cross. Eleanor Dale, the same player who’d missed the sitter, rose to meet it and thumped the ball home. The place went mental.
But football can be merciless. In the very last seconds of the match Sunderland conceded a penalty. Amy Andrews stepped up and coolly converted for her second of the night, stealing a point for the visitors.
Full-time: Sunderland 2, Sheffield United 2. A game they should have won. Another night of what might have been.
The Lasses can’t afford to dwell on it. Portsmouth are next on Sunday – another game they simply cannot afford to lose. As fans trudge out into the cold March night, the feeling is all too familiar. Supporting Sunderland is never easy. It never has been. It never will be.
Yet we’ll all be back again. Because nights like this, for all the heartbreak, are exactly why we care so much.