Sunderland will hold their heads high after their FA Women’s Cup defeat to Liverpool on Sunday according to head coach Claire Robinson.
Goals from Martha Harris and Natasha Dowie helped 2013 FA Women’s Super League champions Liverpool prepare for their title defence with a comfortable victory.
Sunderland 0-2 Liverpool
FA Women’s Cup
Fifth Round
Sunday 13 April
Harris pounced on a defensive error to fire Liverpool in front before Dowie sealed the win after the break.
But despite the loss Robinson believes her WSL 2 side performed admirably.
“I think we’ve got to take a bit of pride. The girls have gone out there and given a respectable performance,” said the Sunderland boss.
“We’re disappointed with the goals, they are preventable but from the game they are champions.
“They will certainly do well this season, but it is 90 minutes for us and we’re firing for Thursday. Our aim is to win that title.
“If you want to be the best, you’ve got to play the best and we’re just a little disappointed we didn’t threaten much in the final third.”
Liverpool took the game to Sunderland from the off – Fara Williams signalling her intent with a fifth-minute strike which flashed wide.
Two minutes later Gemma Davison’s long-range effort was comfortably held by Rachael Laws before Dowie hit a rising shot just over on the quarter-hour.
The deadlock was finally broken on 39 minutes though with Harris pouncing on a poor Kelly McDougall clearance to curl in from close range.
Sunderland threatened either side of the interval, Abbey Joice’s rising strike tipped over by Libby Stout in first-half stoppage time and Gemma Bonner heading Keira Ramshaw’s shot off the line minutes after the restart.
“On another day we may have scored three or four. I was very, very pleased with them”
Matt Beard Liverpool manager
Liverpool doubled their lead on 58 minutes though, Davison turning Vicky Greenwell and firing a shot across goal which Dowie turned in from close range.
It almost got worse for the hosts on the hour, but Davison shot wide after making space in the area.
In the end it was a comfortable victory for Liverpool and manager Matt Beard believes his side could have added more to their tally.
“I felt we were disciplined, we created chances. It was difficult as they had bodies back behind the ball,” he said.
“On another day we may have scored three or four. I was very, very pleased with them.
“It gives us confidence and all we want to do is concentrate on each game as it comes and we now turn our attention to Manchester City on Thursday.”
