This weekend was one where football gives you everything you want and more. We had already been spoiled by the men’s derby win, a result that sent the whole city into a state of delirium. The adrenaline was still fizzing through us, the kind that makes your hands shake slightly and your thoughts race.
It was the sort of high that makes you feel like anything is possible. So when 2pm rolled around, it was over to Sunderland Women to keep the good vibes going.
On paper, this was a match we should be winning, but football rarely cares for what things look like on paper. Portsmouth have been a different beast since the turn of the year. They have fought for every point, taken down league leaders Charlton, and ended that ridiculous unbeaten run that had looked untouchable. They have become a side that refuses to roll over for anyone. So we knew this would not be a stroll. We knew we would have to earn it.
The team news brought no real surprises, though there were two changes that caught the eye. Demi Lambourne returned in goal, a decision that would prove crucial as the afternoon unfolded. Jessica Brown took her usual place at right back, with Caragh Hamilton on the left. Brianna Westrup and Hannah Greenwood formed the centre back pairing, with Greenwood stepping in for Rhiannon Roberts, who was not in the squad at all. The midfield double pivot remained the same, with Marissa Sheva and Natasha Fenton anchoring things. Ahead of them, Katie Kitching played in the ten, with Katy Watson on the right wing, Mared Griffiths on the left, and Eleanor Dale leading the line. Dale starting over Emily Scarr felt like a nod of faith from the coaching staff, a reward for her goal last time out and perhaps a belief that she was ready to rediscover her scoring touch.
I barely had time to settle in. The stream had only just loaded. I was still riding the emotional high from the derby, still replaying the goals in my head, still feeling that buzz in my chest. Then suddenly, Sunderland Women were ahead.
It was the sixth minute and the move came from the right. Jecca received the ball from Sheva, and although Watson was further up the wing, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She gave herself half a yard, lifted her head, and spotted Dale making a clever run into the box. The space between the defenders was tight, but Jecca threaded the ball beautifully, whipping it into the perfect area. Dale still had so much to do. The angle was against her and she had to throw herself at it, diving forward to flick the ball with her head towards the near post. It was a brave finish, the sort that requires instinct and commitment, and it nestled into the net to give us the lead.
It was the perfect start. The sort of goal that settles everyone down and sets the tone. From that moment, Sunderland began to ramp up the pressure. Jecca and Dale were linking up brilliantly, almost as if they had been playing together for years. Jecca sent another dangerous cross into the box from the right, this time towards the back post. Dale rose to meet it and headed it goalwards. Greenwood slid in to try to divert it, her touch sending the ball crashing off the crossbar. The offside flag went up, correctly, but it was another sign of the dominance we were showing.
The onslaught continued. Jecca was relentless, sending ball after ball into the box, each one causing panic in the Portsmouth defence. One delivery found Kitching, whose shot was blocked. The rebound fell to Dale, whose effort was also blocked. The ball then rolled to Sheva, who created space for herself and fired towards goal. She beat the keeper, but the ball skimmed past the near post. It felt like we were inches away from doubling the lead every time we attacked.
Portsmouth did have a moment of their own when Westrup stepped up to claim the ball and missed it, allowing Pompey to counter. The ball was lifted towards goal, however Lambourne reacted brilliantly, making a strong block to prevent the equaliser. It was the first of several important saves she would make.
Kitching continued to cause problems. Her delivery from a corner forced the Portsmouth keeper to tip the ball over the bar. Another corner saw Dale rise and head the ball goalwards, only for it to be cleared off the line at the last moment. It was a sensational first half performance from Sunderland. This was the front footed, attacking side we know we can be. It was a joy to watch. A complete performance in every sense. The only complaint anyone could have was that we should have been four or five goals up. But credit had to go to Portsmouth for their defensive resilience. They were hanging on, but they were hanging on well.
The second half began with the same intensity. Sunderland came out determined to extend the lead. Watson cleared the ball upfield to catch Portsmouth out on the counter. Dale collected it and drove forward. She had Griffiths to her left and Kitching to her right. She chose Griffiths, who struck towards goal. The keeper saved it and the rebound fell to Dale, whose shot was also saved. Portsmouth scrambled the ball away. It felt like déjà vu. Chance after chance, but the second goal refused to come.
Moments later, Watson was involved again. She played in Hamilton, who made a surging run down the left. Hamilton crossed the ball back into the box for Watson, who hit it first time on the volley. A Portsmouth defender threw herself in the way and blocked it. Sheva then had another opportunity, her shot saved once more. It was becoming almost comical how many chances we were creating without finding the net.
There was a moment where Sunderland could have had a penalty. Griffiths was brought down in the box, but with only one camera angle and that angle being miles away, it was impossible to say for certain. Portsmouth countered while Griffiths was still on the floor and created their best chance in some time. A dangerous ball was whipped in from the right and Megan Hornby arrived at the back post to poke it home. Lambourne stood tall and made a brilliant save, pushing it out for a corner. It was another reminder of how important she was to this performance.
The first change came when Scarr replaced Watson on the right wing. She nearly made an instant impact, firing a low cross into the box for Griffiths. The loan signing stretched to reach it but could not make proper contact and the ball went out for a goal kick. A mix up at the back then allowed Portsmouth through on goal. Jones spotted Lambourne off her line and tried to lob her, but Lambourne recovered superbly and made a diving save to deny the equaliser. It was unbelievable that we had not scored a second. We must have had ten shots on target by this point, all denied by blocks or saves.
More changes followed. Libbi McInnes came on for Kitching. Sheva and Griffiths made way for Jamie Finn and Ellen Jones. Portsmouth, despite being under pressure for most of the match, had one final brilliant chance to equalise. A cross came in from the left and Nixon rose highest to head it goalwards. Lambourne produced a stunning save, tipping it over the bar despite barely seeing it. It was the last action of the game.
When the whistle blew, it felt like a complete performance. Ruthless in attack, solid in defence, relentless in energy. Dale had her second goal in two games. Jecca had her second assist in two games, both for Dale. A partnership might be forming there, something that could become a real weapon. Lambourne was instrumental with her saves. She was not the busier of the two keepers, but she remained focused and came up big when it mattered.
The only gripe, if we can even call it that, was that the game should have been out of sight. We could easily have scored eight. But the performance was what mattered. The consistency. The confidence. The composure. Sunderland are starting to look like their old selves again. They are playing with belief. They are playing with purpose.
And that matters even more because next weekend is a big one. Just as the men beat Newcastle 2-1, the women now have the chance to do the same. They face Newcastle Women at the Stadium of Light. Before Newcastle’s promotion to the WSL2, this was a fixture Sunderland always won. But recently, we have found ourselves on the wrong end of four consecutive defeats. Perhaps this is the moment to turn that around. Perhaps the momentum from this win, the clean sheet, the performance, and the high from the men’s derby victory will carry us through.
Ha Way The Lasses!