Reigning WSL 1 champions Liverpool Ladies were defeated 2-1 by newly promoted Sunderland in the opening match of the new super league season.
The Red’s went in to the match clear favourites after winning their second title in a row last season, but Sunderland only lost on one occasion last year and looked to record a memorable performance in their first match of the WSL 1 away to the champions.
The hosts started the brightest with Fara Williams striking a long range effort after just 5 minutes, something which seemed to rattle the Black Cats who nearly gifted winger Nicole Rolser a goal a few minutes later.
Rolser raced away from the visitors’ defence and looked to round Rachael Laws who, alongside Tori Williams, closed down well to deny Rolser the shooting opportunity. The reds midfielder did however manage to pick out team mate Ingrid Ryland on the edge of the box, but the Norwegian could only shoot wide of the post.
Despite having the majority of possession and the most clear cut chances, Liverpool went 1-0 down in the 26th minute thanks to an excellent cross from Keira Ramshaw which was met in the air by striker Beth Mead.
Minutes later it was nearly two when new girl Brooke Chaplen, signed from Everton on Monday, headed a long ball down for Rachel Furness who lashed a ferocious volley just over the crossbar.
Liverpool were also debuting a new signing – Africa’s player of the year Asisat Oshoala, who had their best chance of the half just before the break. However, the Nigerian could only snatch at her volley at the back post and failed to equalise for her new club.
The champions continued applying the pressure in the second half and one of Ryland’s dangerous deliveries from the right flank nearly caused the visitors some serious problems if not for a solid clearance from the head of Abby Holmes, who was putting in a star performance for the newly promoted side.
Ten minutes after the break Furness hit another curling effort from well outside the box for Sunderland, but Libby Stout was equal to the effort, saving well in the Liverpool goal.
With 15 minutes left to play an incredible goal mouth scramble nearly led to an equaliser for the Reds after Williams whipped in a dangerous free kick and Natasha Dowie hit the crossbar twice during the resulting ruckus.
Victoria Williams then broke for Sunderland playing in goalscorer Mead up the other end of the pitch.
Mead danced past the recovering Satara Murray who then clattered into the striker conceding her second penalty in consecutive games.
Mead, injured during the foul, was off the pitch and unable to take the spot kick, so the responsibility fell to debutant Chaplen who fired the ball in to the roof of the net to make it 2-0 to Sunderland.
Murray went someway to making amends five minutes later, firing the ball home after Laws parried Williams’ corner, to set up a grandstand finish.
The reigning champions pressed hard in the remaining minutes but it wasn’t their night, and Sunderland held on for a famous victory.
Understandably Liverpool were left stunned by the result but manager Matt Beard insists it is far too early in the season for any kneejerk reactions.
“It was not an ideal start but we’ve got 13 league games still to play so it’s not going to be all doom and gloom,” said Beard.
Liverpool will now face Birmingham – the team that knocked them out the FA Cup last weekend – on Wednesday.
