The New Era: The First Half Season
After The FA's decision to demote Sunderland AFC Ladies for 2018/19, we look at The Lady Black Cats' season so far
In The Build-Up
It was anything but a normal pre-season for Sunderland.
The FA announced their intention to restructure the women's game ahead of the 2018-19 season, requiring an application process.
Despite finishing seventh in 2017-18, three places off bottom, Sunderland had their application for a spot in the Women's Super League (formerly WSL 1) or the Championship (formerly WSL 2) rejected both initially and after appeal. The demotion left the club in the FA Women's National League Premier Division, the third tier.
The decision to demote the club was only announced on 23 July, only 28 days before the start of the next season.
With a number of players leaving the club, including captain Lucy Staniforth, Sunderland were left with only four of 2017-18's 18 first team players. Manager Melanie Reay and her coaching staff were left with a rebuilding job.
The majority of the new squad would be made up of development team players, but the additions of experienced players such as Grace McCatty and Megan Beer helped boost the squad.
One of the remaining first team stars from last season, Keira Ramshaw would take the captain's armband for the new season. Ramshaw, who has been at the club since 2009, is the senior most of the remaining first team players and Reay felt she was the obvious choice to take the armband.
The target for Sunderland remained promotion, but they knew it was going to be far from easy, with sides like two-time-champions Blackburn Rovers in the most commanding position to take top spot.
The Squad Changes Continue
The beginning of the season didn't see the end of squad issues for the Lady Black Cats.
A number of injuries in full-back areas has plagued the side so far, with Megan Beer, Faye Mullen and Erika Warren all struggling with injuries. A season ending injury suffered by Rachel Woolston and Danielle Brown leaving the club have all added to the issue.
It's not been injury free around the rest of the pitch either. Centre-back Courtney Stewart collapsed in the opening game of the season against Fylde, only making one appearance since. Stewart is back in training and working towards a better 2019.
On a positive note, two new additions have boosted the side. American former Newcastle United goalkeeper Allison Cowling joined in October and Irish midfielder Niamh McLaughlin, also formally of Newcastle, rejoined The Lady Black Cats after time out with an ACL injury.
The Negatives
It hasn't been plain sailing on the pitch for Sunderland either.
Opening day defeat to Fylde among difficult circumstances wasn't the start Sunderland had hoped for. However, with it being the teams first game, having not had time for any pre-season friendlies, it was never going to be an easy start for the Lady Black Cats.
After a six game winning run, Sunderland's next defeat was a controversial 1-0 loss away at Derby County. Bridget Galloway having a goal wrongly disallowed and a momentary lapse in concentration at a corner saw the side leave Derbyshire empty handed.
The last five games have produced the most disappointing performances for Reay's side. A last minute defeat against Stoke City dropped Sunderland further behind top side and title rivals Blackburn Rovers.
December would see Sunderland go out of both the FA and League Cup. Fylde once again got the better of Sunderland at The Hetton Centre, taking a 3-1 win against a poorly performing home side.
A week later, Blackburn would win by the same scoreline. A solid first half performance didn't carry into the second half. Taking the lead within one minute of the restart, Sunderland couldn't keep up the solid defensive display that took them into the break at 0-0 and Blackburn pounced, scoring three and progressing in the FAWNL Cup.
The Positives
Despite the downs, there have been many more ups for Sunderland in the first half of the season.
A six game winning run lasted from game week two til game week six, with a cup victory at Morecambe following Sunderland's first win of the season at Bradford City adding to the run.
A huge win at title contenders Huddersfield Town moved The Lady Black Cats onto six points, as a late Mollie Lambert wonder strike gave her side a 3-2 win.
Other highlights include a 3-1 win in the Wear-Tees Derby against Middlesbrough at Hetton and a 5-0 win over Doncaster Rovers Belles, a game where Sunderland could have had more had it been for cooler heads in front of goal.
Sunderland picked up there biggest win of the season in late October, putting eight past Nottingham Forest at Hetton, with six coming in the first half. A hat-trick from Keira Ramshaw and a lovely finish from Faye Mullen helped the hosts along.
The sides last win so far was redemption against Derby County. Backed by the Hetton crowd, the Lasses took a 5-2 win, with Bridget Galloway netting a hat-trick.
Stats: The Numbers So Far
Who got the goals?
10 players have been on the score sheet for Sunderland so far this year. Keira Ramshaw leads the way with 12 in all competitions.
Louise Griffiths is the only scorer not to get one in the league, scoring her one and only goal so far in the FAWNL Cup Determining Round at Morecambe.
Anna Young's three goals came in as many games, with her first against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the the FAWNL Cup Second Round before league goals against Nottingham Forest and Stoke City.
Where were the points won?
Sat in third, on 24 points after 11 game, here is where the Lady Black Cats picked up their points...
Award Winners
The FA Women's National League sees the opposition choose a Player of the Match for each game. Here are the players that have picked up the award...
