Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

SUNDERLAND restored some pride in North-East football before going down to the top team in the women’s game.

Playing their first FA Cup final, Sunderland did not disgrace themselves against the experienced Arsenal side which has now lifted the trophy a record ten times.

But, it was, ultimately, only an injury time goal by Arsenal’s Kim Little which finally saw off Mick Mulhern’s battlers.

Even then Sunderland grabbed a last-gasp goal, through Kelly McDougall, but there was barely time for Arsenal to kick-off before referee Emma Everson blew for full-time.

It sparked jubilant scenes among the Gunners, but Sunderland’s youthful side could hold their heads up high and enjoy a lap of honour for the unexpected run to the final which brought victories over National Division sides Bristol and Chelsea.

But it was to be a different matter yesterday, as Arsenal, by far the most successful team in women’s football, were just too strong for the Northern Division outsiders, dominating from the start.

Goalkeeper Helen Alderson kept the Black Cats in contention with a string of fine saves, but, when she failed to hold a Gemma Davison shot Arsenal’s England midfielder Katie Chapman was on hand to pick up the pieces.

Sunderland’s only real chance of the half came when impressive 16-year-old midfielder Jordan Nobbs failed to get a strong enough finish on Sophie Williams’ left-wing cross.

Williams, who scored in every round on Sunderland’s run to the final, played suffering from sickness. It finally got the better of her early in the second half as she was treated on the pitch with oxygen amid fears she had suffered a seizure.

She came round off the pitch, however, and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Her replacement, Sarah Danby, came close to a late goal for Sunderland, her shot from outside the box was tipped over the bar by keeper Emma Byrne.

The lengthy delay for Williams’ treatment resulted in seven minutes of injury time, with Sunderland still only trailing by the single goal.

But Little appeared to seal Sunderland’s fate when she ran on to a long ball to round Alderson and tap in.

McDougall’s strike was a real consolation, coolly finishing Demi Stokes’ cross.

Proud Sunderland coach Mick Mulhern said his side “gave their all” and had nothing to be ashamed of, in their first appearance in a major final.

“We changed our playing style from the usual 4-4-2 formation which we have used to boss our league,’’ he said.

“Over the last couple of games we have changed our system a little and today, from a defensive point of view we worked very hard.

“We didn’t attack a great deal and maybe our final ball wasn’t as good as it has been in the league, but we were up against a very good side and they were round our ankles all the time.”

Mulhern spoke highly of Nobbs, an England under-19 international, who he predicted will one day captain her country at full level, while he rued the loss of another bright prospect, versatile leftback Lucy Bronze, the player of the match.

She begins a four-year course at the University of North Carolina in the summer.

Arsenal: Byrne, Ludlow, Flaherty, C Grant, S Grant (Lander, 56), Yankey, Davison (Ross 81), Bassett (White, 95), Little, Chapman, Fahey. Subs (not used): Spencer, Pond Sunderland: Alderson, Bronze, Halliday, Nobbs, Bannon, Greenwell, Staniforth, McDougall, Williams (Devine, 56), Gutteridge (Danby, 83), Stokes. Subs (not used): Laws, O’Brien, Holmes.