Katie Kitching, who blasted home Sunderland’s third goal of the evening. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
**Sunderland Women were 4-0 winners away to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, as the new Barclays WSL 2 season kicked off on Friday 5 September.**
Izzy Atkinson volleyed the visitors ahead late in the first half, from a Katy Watson cross into the box.
The lead was doubled early in the second half, as Rhiannon Roberts headed home a corner delivered by Natasha Fenton.
They wrapped up the points with 10 minutes left of the 90, Emily Scarr playing the ball to Katie Kitching who rifled it into the top corner.
Scarr completed the scoring herself in stoppage time, after a ball into the box was not dealt with.