Black Cats edged out by Forest

Sunderland 2-3 Nottingham Forest
The FA Women's Premier League
Sunday 30 August
The Hetton Centre, Sunderland WFC

Sunderland slumped to their second successive League defeat after they lost a thrilling match 3-2 against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Black Cats, back in The Women's Premier League after a two-year absence, began the campaign well, with a 2-0 victory over Bristol, but they have since suffered.

Kelly McDougal, last season’s Player’s Player and Manager’s Player of the Year, opened the scoring for the hosts in the third minute but Forest quickly replied through Suzanne Davies. Forest then went ahead on 18 minutes but McDougal equalised for The FA Women's Cup runners-up with 20 minutes to go.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Annabel McKechnie smashed home Forest’s third with seven minutes to go, and the visitors held on to claim the win.

Doncaster Rovers Belles are still searching for their first League win of the season after they squandered a 2-0 lead at home to Watford.

The hosts were on their way courtesy of Sarah Owen’s fine finish on 14 minutes and when Precious Hamilton doubled the lead seven minutes before the break, the Belles looked in control. But Kate Longhurst struck for Watford within a minute of the re-start and then Annie Barrat completed the comeback in the 71st minute.

Table-topping Millwall remain the team to beat - they swept Bristol Academy aside to claim all three points. The Lionesses were pushed all the way but Ann-Marie Heatherson made the crucial breakthrough in the 75th minute and Charlotte Gurr made the game safe two minutes later.

And finally, Birmingham lost ground on Millwall at the top after they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Blackburn. The Midlands club fell behind when Natalie Preston prodded home on the half hour mark but Dannii Bird ensured Birmingham came away with a point when she netted in the 67th minute.