SUNDERLAND’S perfect start to the season will be put to the test today when they travel to face reigning WSL 1 champions Liverpool in the Continental Cup tonight (6:30pm kick-off).
The Lady Black Cats have a 100 per cent record so far and added a fourth victory in their 3-0 Continental Cup win over North-East rivals Durham on Wednesday night.
However, this evening they come up against the only side to have beaten them in Liverpool, who knocked Clare Robinson’s side out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win almost a month ago.
The Reds had also made an unbeaten start to the season like Sunderland, but their run was ended when Merseyside rivals Everton won 2-0 at the Select Security Stadium on Wednesday.
“Liverpool have already played us so we know about them and they know about us,” Robinson said. “The girls will go there and give their best.
“Overall I thought it was a comfortable win (against Durham) and it’s good to keep the bounce going by winning games.
“We were disappointed perhaps not to score more goals, but we got three and the clean sheet was pleasing.
“The chances are coming and that’s the pleasing thing, while we’re doing well at the other end.”
Durham also face tough opposition in their second cup game of the week when they host Doncaster Belles Rovers at New Ferens Park tomorrow (2pm kick-off).
The Wildcats are still looking for their first win of the season after four defeats on the bounce with their latest loss coming at the hands of Sunderland.
In contrast, Belles sit joint top of the WSL 2 after an unbeaten start and they will go into tomorrow’s game in a confident mood after beating big-spending WSL 1 side Manchester City in the cup midweek.
However, Durham keeper Danielle Hill, who has played in every game so far, believes Rob Atkin’s side is improving with every game.
“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the game against Sunderland,” she said. “They had a few chances but 3-0 wasn’t a fair reflection. We have to build on it again.
“Every game is setting us up for the next. Each player is getting more and more experience as the games go by and the knowhow of how to play in this league. It’s just the little things that we need to improve on.
“I think Doncaster will be up and around the top. We just have to be disciplined, we will all have to have a good game, but that’s our job. I’ve got to try and stop the goals and I’ll do my best and hopefully the ten in front of me will do their jobs as well.”
Tickets for Durham v Doncaster Belles Rovers can be purchased from turnstiles on the day of the game or in advance from http://durham.fawsl.com/tickets.html.
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