Wearside ladies make cup progress

Sunderland will face Bristol Academy or Birmingham in the quarters

Sunderland cruised through to the quarter-finals of the Women's FA Cup with a comprehensive 5-0 win against Barnet at Hetton on Sunday.

Kelly MacDougal handed the Wearside ladies the lead with a low first-half strike before the floodgates opened in the second period.

Natalie Gutteridge extended the lead with a header and Sophie Williams added a third from a tight angle.

Jordan Nobbs and Nicola Devine then grabbed goals apiece to settle the tie.

Sunderland's recent form has pulled them closer to title rivals Lincoln, and progress in the cup is another fillip for the club and manager Mick Mulhern.

"I thought we were fantastic all over the pitch today. Barnet came up here with the reputation of being arguably the best team in the Southern Premier League," he said.

"We prepared appropriately and rose to the challenge. We are now two games away from the FA Cup final and if we get a favourable draw, who knows what can happen?"

Sunderland Ladies have been drawn at home to the winners of the Bristol Academy or Birmingham City tie.