Sunderland Ladies boss Carlton Fairweather happy to get performance AND result

The Lady Black Cats took relegation rivals Doncaster Rovers apart, beating the 10-player Belles 4-0 at Eppleton CW.

It moved Fairweather’s side up to seventh and only a point behind Notts County who they still have to play home and away.

“It was great to get our first win,” said Fairweather, whose side visit fourth-placed Birmingham on Sunday.

“Hopefully that win will take us forward, we’re now into the second half of the season.

“Birmingham are a side who don’t concede many goals [five in nine games] so it will be a hard test but we have a good platform to build on.

“I’m very pleased for the girls that they got a reward for their hard work.

“They have put in some very good performances and not had the results. Now, we have had the performance and got the result.

“I’m happy for the girls and the staff.”

Fairweather said Rovers could not really complain about the red card for Leandra Little who brought down Beth Mead when the score was goalless.

“Probably not,” he said. “She was the last player.”