Dowie nets stunner as Ladies held at Sunderland
Natasha Dowie scored a fantastic goal but a late equaliser denied Liverpool Ladies victory as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at the Hetton Centre on Saturday evening.
Since their promotion to the Women's Super League 1, Sunderland have had a brilliant season so far, and under the command of former Wimbledon winger Carlton Fairweather they started the day sitting proudly leading the way at the top of the table.
After losing their previous two top-flight games Matt Beard’s side went into the game with a determined attitude and eager to take their domestic cup form back into the Super League.
The Ladies started brightly. Lucy Staniforth, who scored her first goal for the club direct from a corner in the last match with Doncaster Belles, almost repeated it when her flag kick came back off the top of the bar.
The home side then took the lead from the penalty spot when Beth Mead converted after she was brought down by Becky Easton.
Beard’s side then drew level courtesy of a fantastic long-range effort from Dowie. The No.9 had earlier gone close with an effort just wide but the equaliser was simply stunning as she fired home an unstoppable strike from 40-yards out.
The Ladies missed a golden chance to go 2-1 up when Dowie set up Rosie White but from just six-yards out the New Zealand international fired over the bar.
However, White was to have her moment and she pounced to make it 2-1. Running onto a clearance from goalkeeper Libby Stout, White produced a superb chip into the back of the net to send the travelling support wild with delight.
Dowie was so unlucky not to make it 3-1 but her effort went just wide after great approach play from Martha Harris.
However, the home side never gave up and with just five minutes remaining Kelly McDougall pounced to make it 2-2.
Katrin Omarsdottir had a last-gasp chance in stoppage time to win the game but her free-kick sailed over the top of the bar, and then White went close right at the end.
Overall, the Ladies will be disappointed not to have won the game but they will take heart and many positives from their excellent display.
Liverpool Ladies: Stout, Harris, Pacheco (Schroder), Easton, Bonner, Omarsdottir, Staniforth, Longhurst, Dowie, White, Hodson (Smorsgard). Subs not used: Darbyshire, Ryland, Zelem, Dale, Green.
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