Farrow put Eagles ahead but Sunderland nab equaliser in 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park

By Football Reporter

Substitute Keira Ramshaw saved the day for Sunderland as her equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Millie Farrow’s close-range shot had given the Eagles the lead in the 66th minute but Ramshaw struck back just six minutes later for the FA Women’s Championship pacesetters.

Palace hit the post twice during the match but could not find a winner.

The hosts had scored early in their first two games of the campaign and started brightly again as Siobhan Wilson’s seventh-minute cross forced Claudia Moan into a good save.

Palace went close again when they hit the post just before the half hour after Farrow turned Wilson’s clever pass towards the target.

Seven minutes later, Kirsty Barton fired over for the Eagles from close range.

Four minutes before the break, Sunderland had their best first half chance when Jessica Brown’s looping shot went just over the bar.

In the 52nd minute, Bianca Baptiste fired over after sprinting from halfway as the Eagles looked to counter attack.

And the home side’s pressure eventually paid off midway through the second half, with Farrow making space for herself before guiding the ball home past Moan.

Sunderland’s response was instant, though. First substitute Holly Manders diverted a low cross from Neve Herron wide before the equaliser arrived on 72 minutes.

Ramshaw turned to shoot from the edge of the box after the Eagles failed to clear their lines.

With only three minutes to play, Palace hit the post again. Coral-Jade Haines had an excellent header opportunity but was only able to direct her effort against the woodwork.

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Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Emily Orman; Gracie Pearse, Annabel Johnson, Lizzie Waldie, Aimee Everett; Kirsty Barton, Charley Clifford, Coral-Jade Haines, Bianca Baptiste; Siobhan Wilson, Millie Farrow

Substitutes: Molly Sharpe for Farrow 77’, Leanne Cowan for Pearse 77’

Substitutes not used: Leigh Nicol, Hannah Churchill, Chloe Morgan, Grace Coombs

Goals: Farrow 66’ Bookings: Pearse 6’

Sunderland (4-5-1): Claudia Moan; Megan Beer, Grace McCatty, Charlotte Potts, Louise Griffiths; Jessica Brown, Emma Kelly, Neve Herron, Abbey Joice, Maria Farrugia; Emily Scarr

Substitutes: Keira Ramshaw for Scarr 63’, Holly Manders for Farrugia 63’, Eve Blakey for Brown 84’

Substitutes not used: Allison Cowling, Faye Mullen, Libbi McInnes

Goals: Ramshaw 72’

Bookings: McCatty 42’, Potts 47’, Farrugia 54’

Referee: Lauren Impey

Attendance: 400