Sunderland stay on top

Sunderland 4-1 Watford
The FA Tesco Women's Premier League
2pm, Sunday 1 November 2009

Sunderland took advantage of Sunday’s cup fixtures as they won the only FA Tesco Premier League match of the weekend to move three points clear at the top of the table thanks to an impressive 4-1 victory over Watford.

Watford stay fourth and it was they who took a surprise early lead when Katie Owen, a midfield signing from Chelsea at the start of the year, scored in only the 19th minute.

Their joy was short-lived, though, as Sunderland’s attacking speed queen Demi Lee Stokes celebrated her recent call-up to the England under-19 training camp by equalising on the half hour mark.

And Watford were really up against it when last season’s leading goalscorer Sophie Williams gave Sunderland the lead a minute before half-time.

Watford tried to battle their way back into the game and held on until Sunderland’s long-haired centre forward Natalie Gutteridge added a third goal with 19 minutes to go.

Any chance of a Watford comeback completely disappeared when Sunderland captain and central defender Stephanie Bannon scored the fourth goal four minutes later.

Sunderland have played five games more than nearest rivals Chelsea and Leeds Carnegie have played four fewer games.

So manager Mick Mulhern will be hoping his side can maintain their form when they face a massive test away at highly-fancied Everton next Sunday 8 November.

Watford will be looking back to winning ways when they host Birmingham Ladies.