SUNDERLAND Women head coach Mel Reay hailed her “gamechangers” as she set her sights on claiming the Championship title in the final three matches of the season.
Reay’s side held firm to win 5-3 in a thrilling encounter with local rivals Durham on Sunday, with goals from Emily Scarr, Jenna Dear, Katy Watson and a brace from Mary McAteer seeing the Black Cats over the line in the River Wear derby.
There's no room for error in the final weeks of the season for Sunderland, who are a point clear of Crystal Palace, but the second placed side have a game in hand.
Reay says her side have to just focus on themselves and was thrilled with Sunday's crucial victory.
“I was delighted with the resilience,” Reay said.
“We didn’t feel sorry for ourselves, we wanted the ball straight away and we punished them. That’s the best way to play.
“[Players] have gone on and made a difference. We call them gamechangers.”
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The Black Cats had only scored 23 in 18 matches before putting five past Wearside rivals Durham. Sunday's win will further boost belief but Reay says her side need to remain grounded and focused.
“The moment that you think you might do it is the moment you lose focus on the task in hand,” she said when asked about her hopes of a return to the WSL.
“It’s in our hands. It’s quite easy to say all we’ve got to do is win three games, but they’re all three different games. They’re not easy games. We’ll prepare properly.”
Last season Sunderland finished second bottom of the Women’s Championship but could now secure a return to the WSL for the first time since the leagues were restructured.
"It’s taken a big club effort,” Reay said.
“Hopefully [Sunderland] will progress again in the summer to a full-time team.”
"It's all been about hard work, good players. I’ve got a great backroom staff who work really hard behind the scenes.
Sunderland play bottom of the table Watford in their next Championship fixture while Durham host title-challengers Palace and could do the Black Cats a huge favour if they win, along with moving a step closer to securing their own Championship future.
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