Durham fell to a 5-0 defeat at home to Birmingham City in the Subway Players Cup.
Despite rallying efforts from the Wildcats, having conceded two first half goals, their hopes ofa comeback were crushed by three more Birmingham goals late in the game.
The away team came out strong as the game began, holding possession in Durham’s half, with forward Leidhammar consistently threatening in front of goal.
Pressure eventually ramped up from Durham, Collinson with a chance narrowly dropping over the bar, but the first goal was not to be theirs and was smashed in from Sarri at the 29th minute, having just had a shot go wide minutes earlier.
The next came just five minutes later, as the earlier threatening Leidhammar received the ball just inside the box to shoot down the middle. She soon went for goal once more, her teasing header just ricocheting off the crossbar, yet it was enough to keep Sheppard on her toes for the remainder of the half, with a few more good saves to make.
The Wildcats came out for the second half with some more momentum, with 60th minutesubstitutes Pennock and Addison doing well to find Stobbs in a dangerous position before she found her shot blocked.
Durham tried hard to keep Birmingham at bay, Bradley with a header to keep Sarri’s free-kick out of the net, but eventually a third Birmingham goal went in from a corner as the ball found captain Cornet at the far post at the 77th minute.
It was only two minutes later that Crosthwaithe’s cross found the back of the goal to make it four, until once again just before the 90th minute, it was Sarri again to secure her brace and wrap up the game.
By Myrna Goodger
