HOT NEWS: Lasses Report: Leading edge Sunderland defeats Durham to win the derby and claim bragging rights.

It entertains the indifferent and fans who wish to suffer a heart collapse, at least. As we scored goal after goal, I was not sure if I was experiencing palpitations or was just experiencing the vibrations from the loud noise next to me.

After our 1-0 loss to London City Lionesses on the road last Saturday, it is safe to assume that both the players and the Princes Park crowd felt defeated and that our chances of finishing first had decreased. Though promotion-chasing Crystal Palace fell 2-0 to Sheffield United and Birmingham was held to a 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers, both Charlton and Southampton were able to resume their winning ways.

There are just a few games remaining in the season, and the FA Women’s Championship table is amazing. each and every squad battling for a cause. The clubs ranked 1st through 6th are competing for a single promotion berth to the Women’s Super League, and the teams ranked 7th through 12th are battling to escape the two automatic relegation spots.

The ladies have undoubtedly contributed to this season’s extreme entertainment value with their (fan-unprecedented) performance and positioning, as well as their participation in numerous exhilarating games.

The team that Mel Reay and her coaching staff selected was one that was predicted and one that has started nearly every game this year. The injured Mollie Rouse, who had a minor hit during training this week, was replaced in the starting eleven by Liz Ejupi, the only other change to the starting lineup for Kosovan.

Durham Women entered this match having not won a game since December 17th and sat eighth in the table, four points above the relegation zone, as excellently covered by RR contributor Ollie Burns. The ladies, on the other hand, entered the game still atop the table despite their heartbreaking defeat to London City.

Although it was difficult to accept, many believed that outcome gave the ladies the motivation they needed to approach their remaining four games with newfound vigor and resolve.

That was precisely how Sunderland approached their game yesterday, looking to put pressure on Durham right away in front of a club record 1477 spectators.

After just two minutes, Jessica Brown’s excellent cross from the right side gave the ladies the chance to take a 1-0 lead. The highest-ranking Emily Scarr attempted to strike it with her head, but McAloon in Durham’s goal was there to save it.

Shortly afterward, Emily Scarr was in action once more. This time, she had a chance from the left flank and launched a shot towards goal, but McAloon was equal to the occasion and made the stop.

After ten minutes, Mary McAteer had what appeared to be Sunderland’s third opportunity on goal when she unleashed a vicious long-range strike that appeared certain to bulge in the net. However, Durham’s dependable captain Sarah Wilson headed the attempt off the line at the last second to deny Sunderland the lead.

After that, Durham started to look forward as well. Their front two, Amy Andrews and Saoirse Noonan, linked up nicely and occasionally caused problems for our defensive backline. Mollie Lambert, a former Sunderland player, glanced at goal as a cross entered the box, but Claudia Moan easily saved it.

The contest was 30 minutes in, and the tension was rising. Both teams were exploding forward with end-to-end action, pace, tackles, and magnificent football on display after they settled into a rhythm. But when Emily Scarr scored in the 32nd minute—after Liz Ejupi did a great job of keeping the ball alive and moving it into Scarr’s line of sight—the ladies were the first to applaud.

After Jenna Dear’s deep cross, Mary McAteer raced to the back post and expertly finished the shot into the goal to put Sunderland ahead by two goals.

But the activity did not end there. Sunderland gave away a terrible goal just minutes after taking a 2-0 lead. When a ball cutback into the lasses box was not handled, Claudia sprinted to stop the pass on the by-line, leaving Mollie Lambert with a pretty open goal to put the finishing touch on what appeared to be more of an own goal from Jessica Brown.

The fact that the opposition was cutting the lead did not deter the ladies from taking the game to Durham, but the Blues deserve praise for also stepping up their play when they realized they might be able to tie the score before halftime.

Luckily, the lasses led 2-1 going into halftime for both Sunderland and the spectators.

With their unrelenting pace and energy, Sunderland attempted to put Durham on the defensive right from the referee’s whistle. In the 51st minute, it nearly paid off when McAteer’s cross found Liz Ejupi, who appeared destined to score against her old team. However, she was unable to connect with the ball, making it easy for McAloon to make the stop.

Durham had a sustained run of possession and possibilities down the middle of the pitch after Sunderland’s early chance appeared to rouse them. The ladies were holding their own, but the Blues’ play appeared to shift when Eleanor Ryan-Doyle replaced Saoirse Noonan. In the 57th minute, Mollie Lambert scored her brace after a superb cross from Lily Crosthwaite.

The game was evenly balanced, and Sunderland might have been thinking about the possible outcomes of their missed opportunities when the ladies became serious and improved their play.

Jessica Brown’s strike appeared to have put Sunderland up 3-2 in the 63rd minute, but for some reason it stayed out. This led to a goalmouth scramble, which was eventually cleared out of danger by the visiting team. However, a few moments later, Sunderland did score their third goal, and McAteer scored her second of the match when she skillfully handled the ball in the box and gently slotted it past McAloon to restore the lasses’ advantage.

However, without a little drama, neither football nor Sunderland would be the same.

With less than 20 minutes remaining, Durham showed they were not going to sit back and take it easy. They won a freekick just outside the right side of the box, and freekick specialist Beth Hepple sent the set piece into the upper left corner to tie the score 3.

However, the drama did not stop there, my dear reader.

After being laid off by the recently introduced Katy Watson, Jenna Dear scored from just outside the box just one minute and thirty-one seconds later, sparking celebrations behind the goal.

after 75 minutes. Sunderland triumphs 4-3. The clock was ticking down agonizingly, and the game was still feeling extremely stressful. We would have a buffer and more motivation to play the game wisely if we scored another goal. And Katy Watson is the one who stands forward to offer us that little respite.

Shortly after Dear’s goal, Watson—who had performed admirably since entering the game as a substitute—made a spectacular run to cut inside from the right flank. Katie Kitching perfectly timed the pass to the 18-year-old, who then fired it into the bottom corner of the net.

causing pandemonium throughout Eppleton as we were once more given a tantalizing and thrilling display of football and late goals.

After a few injury stoppages in the second half, Mary McAteer was replaced by Ellen Jones in the 90th minute, to an electrifying ovation. The fourth official signaled eight more minutes of play.

Durham’s ladies were happy to hold onto the ball and occasionally take it to the corner flag because they felt as though the wind had been taken out of their sails. That did not stop Sunderland from trying to increase their lead, though.

When the referee sounded the final whistle, every Sunderland supporter let out a huge cheer and cried of relief. signifying the conclusion of a thrilling football match and a crucial three points for Sunderland.