Becky Spencer’s heroics in goal ensured Birmingham City a point – but she believes things are also starting to click at the other end of the pitch for the Blues.
Birmingham, fighting to avoid the drop in FA Women’s Super League with BT Sport 1, led Sunderland five minutes before half-time through Freda Ayisi but the Black Cats pulled level in the 54th minute when Abbey Joice scored from close range.
Birmingham 1-1 Sunderland
FA Women's Super League 1
Autotech Stadium Damson Park
Sunday 23 August 2015
Spencer pulled off a number of fine saves, although both teams had chances to win it at the very end.
It leaves Birmingham two points ahead of bottom-placed Bristol Academy, and Spencer said: "It's a team game and I haven't been called on that much this season but when I do I have to do my job.
"But it is all about the team and the performance was a good one. It could have been a bit better but I'm happy that we didn't lose the game.
“It's been a season in which we've created chances but not scored. But we are improving week-by-week and this was a good result.
Abbey Joice of Sunderland holds off Birmingham City's Alex Windell
“Sunderland are in the title race and it proved a good game. We’ve got to be happy coming away with a point against them.”
Rachel Furness twice went close for Sunderland early on, first a flying save by Spencer kept out her 25-yarder before the keeper tipped over her header from the resulting corner.
It was all Sunderland and they threatened again when Vicky Greenwell's free-kick just cleared the bar.
City's England forward Karen Carney then weaved her magic on 40 minutes, cutting in from the left before pulling back the ball for Ayisi, who finished high past Rachael Laws.
But Sunderland were level in the 54th minute when Chaplen played a great ball across the six-yard box and Joice planted a right-foot finish into the net.
Joice then robbed Alex Windell and teed up Beth Mead who fired wide from edge of box, which was the start of a spell of heavy pressure from the away side.
Keira Ramshaw on the ball for Sunderland
But Spencer was unbeatable in the home goal, making good saves from Holmes and Mead.
Birmingham had two late chances but Mel Lawley and Carney saw their shots saved.
Sunderland remain well-placed FA WSL 1 title race and Mead said: "Becky Spencer kept Birmingham in the game with the saves she made.
"Our second-half performance was better but the first half let us down.
"It was good that we were making the opportunities but it's a shame that we could only put the one away.
"Unfortunately, it was one of those days when it didn't seem to want to go in.
"It would have been nice to have got the three points and got a little bit clear of Man City, but it is what it is and we've just got to keep grafting for our last three games.”
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Birmingham City (4-4-2): Becky Spencer, Alex Windell, Kerys Harrop, Aoife Mannion, Jess Carter, Melissa Lawley, Emily Westwood, Remi Allen, Karen Carney (capt), Kirsty Linnett (Jo Potter 76), Freda Ayisi (Charlie Wellings 68).
Subs not used: Sophie Baggaley, Meaghan Sargeant, Cheryl Edwards, Coral Haines, Chloe Peplow
Sunderland (4-5-1): Rachael Laws, Abby Holmes, Tori Williams, Steph Bannon (capt), Vicky Greenwell, Abbey Joice, Kelly McDougall, Rachel Furness, Brooke Chaplen (Sarah McFadden 83), Keira Ramshaw (Stephanie Roche 83), Beth Mead.
Subs not used: Hilde Olsen, Gemma Wilson
Attendance: 704
