It was the hosts to open the scoring as Libbi McEnnis netted in the 17th minute, with Town trailing by two as they headed into the break.
An early second-half goal for Sunderland courtesy of Amy Goddard left the away side with work to do in the closing stages, as defensive heroics throughout prevented an addition onto the eventual 4-0 scoreline.
Amidst the heights of Storm Darragh, Town made the North-Eastern bound journey through the winds as they were awaited by the Second-tier outfit at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground, with an upset against the odds within the ambitions of Glen Preston’s side as they faced a seismic opportunity for the club.
It was raining cats and dogs at the hour of kick off, as the contest commenced between the Terriers and the Black Cats amongst the frosting conditions, with Town’s defensive approach indicated through their deep shape in the earlier stages when out of possession, as the omission of Leah Embley saw Ria Montgomery feature in a wing-back role to create a rotated five-back formation.
Kacey Bolton-Woollam was tested in the opening minutes following a powerful strike from range, tipping over the bar well as Town were forced to kick into the wind during the first half, facing a two-fold form of opponent.
Autumn Housley was forced into a diving-headed clearance from the face of goal in the 11th minute, as Town clearly aimed to soak in pressure with Sunderland remaining on the front foot, clipping the crossbar shortly afterwards.
The hosts eventually earnt their first, as agile midfielder McEnnis was found within a pocket of space in the Huddersfield area, striking low into the far corner under little pressure to force the side ahead.
The first away opportunity came past the half-an-hour mark courtesy of lone striker Yasmin Mason, who will have hoped to build on her two-goal tally of last week as her blistering speed saw an ability to effectively transition between thirds, as she was freed in behind before lobbing her effort marginally high of the target.
This deficit was soon doubled, as a powerful cutback into the area could not be controlled, rebounding to the feet of attacker Mary McAteer who could poke through the legs of Bolton-Woollam to increase their advantage before the break.
This was contained in stoppage time, as a flurry of efforts were somehow prevented by a Terriers triple-block to deny a Black-Cat onslaught, ensuring a two-nil standing as the sides headed in for half-time.
Half Time: Sunderland 2-0 Huddersfield Town
The second period started as one of confusion, as Charlotte Stuart’s straight red card following a trip was soon corrected to its rightful yellow once the referee recognised her error.
The Terriers were given work to do for the remainder of the fixture in the 55th minute, as towering defender Amy Goddard headed home following a recycled cross into the area, as Sunderland’s increasing attacking weightage deemed a third goal somewhat inevitable in the minutes prior.
There was a clear awareness and preparation from Preston however, with a significant reliance on crosses and chance creation from wide areas by Sunderland aimed to be squandered by Charlotte Stuart and her feature in central defence.
There was a later inspired double substitution that saw Caz Simone and Kate Mallin replaced by Ella Duffield and Molly Firth, with Stuart adopting a more progressive role with the side aiming to gain more of a foothold in possession.
Bolton-Woollam displayed the best of her exceptional performance in the 68th minute, carrying out a multitude of high-reaction, close range saves following a one vs one stop moments before, with her showing alongside the defensive unit preventing what could have been a much higher scoreline.
Mason remained as the primary threat on the break, drifting into occasional wide areas in an attempt to drive the side forward, as the rejuvenated attacking unit that since saw the feature of Scarlett McMahon and Ashley Tiripke provided a renewed sense of energy within the visitors.
Firth had a chance in the 84th minute, meeting the ball too eagerly however as her attempt fell short of the target at the front post.
Sunderland hit the woodwork for a second time in the 87th minute, and eventually earnt their fourth following a failed clearance, as Eleanor Dale was found in possession and able to slot comfortably to put the contest to bed and advance Melanie Reay’s side into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Full Time: Sunderland 4-0 Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield head to the South of Manchester next week as they return to league action to face Stockport County, closing out a somewhat mixed calendar year with a full focus on the division and their aims of promotion towards the back end of this season given the end of their status in the cup.
Substitutions:
66′ Embley, Duffield (Simone, Mallin)
78′ Firth, Tiripke (Mason, Beresford)
83′ McMahon (Stuart)
