Charlton Athletic Women suffered their first home defeat of the season on Sunday afternoon.
Grace McCatty scored the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute after the Addicks failed to clear from a set-piece.
The game was delayed by thirty minutes as staff worked hard to clear the pitch after heavy rainfall.
The first chance of the game fell to Sunderland in the fifth minute as Abbey Joice diverted a Neve Herron cross just wide of Eartha Cumings’ goal.
The Addicks got theirselves into the game, winning a corner shortly after, following some nice play by Emma Follis and Elise Hughes on the left wing. The resulting corner fell to Follis who curled the ball just wide.
Cumings was alert in the 20th minute after a loose back pass allowed Emily Scarr to take aim, but the Addicks shot-stopper did well to keep it out.
Lois Roche sent in a dangerous corner a few minutes later, but Sunderland goalkeeper Alison Cowling managed to punch it away.
The visitors got their goal in the 32nd minute when the Addicks failed to clear from a corner, the ball fell to McCatty at the back post and she managed to poke it past Cumings to give Sunderland the lead.
Charlton almost equalised shortly after the second half resumed, a powerful driven free-kick by Anna Filbey was brilliantly saved by Cowling.
The Addicks struggled to make any clear-cut chances in the second half. Beth Roe came close in the 72nd minute however her strike hit the side netting.
Karen Hills’ side are back in action next weekend when they travel to Sheffield United in the FA Women’s Championship.
The Addicks’ next game at The Oakwood is on Wednesday, November 17th against Coventry United in the Continental Cup. Click here to buy your tickets.
Charlton: Cumings, Newborough (Sulola 76), Sampson, Filbey, Follis, Wynne, Hughes (King 69), Skeels, Roche, Roe, Ross
Subs (not used): Hillyerd, Godfrey, Heuchan, Olding
Sunderland: Cowling, Herron (Manders 59), Mullen, McCatty, Griffiths, Ramshaw, Brown, Kelly, Joice, Scarr (Farrugia 68)
Subs (not used): Moan, Blakey, Ede, McInnes, Beer
Goal: McCatty 32
Yellow cards: Herron 37
Attendance: 232