TUWFC capped off a wonderful weekend at Plainmoor on Sunday afternoon, after beating rivals Selsey 3-0 in Sussex.
Knowing nothing but 3 points would do from the 90 minutes against bottom placed Selsey FC, the Yellows still had availability issues for the fixture, but were able to apply themselves on the front foot in the first quarter of the match forcing three early corners from the sharp wing play of Emily Eaton.
United’s first real opportunity came in the 11th minute, when Becks McMullin dragged her shot slightly wide of the right hand post given space on the edge of the box.
Eaton then followed that effort up on the next yellows attack by hitting a shot that was heading towards the top right corner, but was parried wide by the seals goalkeeper.
From the following corner, the ball fell to Rachel Griffiths in the box and the centre back hit the foot of the right hand post, before the ball was cleared off the line by the Selsey defender. A clear sign that United were starting to up the ante to get the opener.
United did take the lead shortly after as player manager Tracey Cross met another Emily Eaton pull back by side footing the ball into the bottom corner to give United a well-deserved lead 20 minutes into the game.
The hosts were dogged throughout and never gave up forcing a couple of counter attacks in the first half but their end product ball didn’t trouble united keeper Ayres.
United kept probing away as Ella Stephens broke down the left wing and her Cross was met by Lexi Watts who just screwed her shot wide with new signing Georgia Chapman forcing a parry from the Selsey keeper on the follow-up.
Chapman came on for centre back Rachel Griffiths who appeared to have aggravated her hamstring in the opening 25 minutes.
Tracey Cross once again had an opportunity towards the end of the half but her lob shot drifted wide from about 30 yards.
The half finished 1-0 to the yellows and to their credit, Selsey battled hard in the first half and United knew that their opponents would come at them in the second half. They were very much still in the fixture with just the one goal deficit at the interval.
That proved correct as a early Seals attack ended with the ball being shot just wide when looking like a goal causing United players to ask questions to tighten up against their opponents.
Emily Eaton and Lucy Palmer both found themselves on the edge of the box in United attacks but both of their efforts sailed high over the Selsey bar.
United did however get a second from a well worked move, as the play was switched to the left hand side, and a lovely reverse pass by left back Ocean Latto set up the on rushing Georgia Chapman who’s run into the box and cool finish over the advancing keeper made it to 2-0 to the yellows. Chapman deserving her goal for what was an impressive debut performance.
Selsey kept coming however and a ball out wide and a cross into the box kept Ayres on her toes as she bravely came out to make a really important block at the feet of the Selsey player to keep that clean sheet intact.
Almost immediately Selsey had another great chance from a cross and a header which Ayres saved pushing behind for a corner as Selsey grew in confidence in the phase of the game with their supporters and bench urging them on to grab a goal.
Chapman had almost an identical chance soon after this time shooting low to the right hand post the Selsey keeper got a good hand onto the ball tipping it onto the post.
United did have to suck up some counter attack pressure in the second half but sealed the game with a lovely run from Tracey Cross through the midfield dropping her shoulder and feeding in the own rushing Emily Eaton who kept her composure to slide the ball into the goal and seal the 3 points for United.
Sadly, in the last 10 minutes, the game did bubble over with United’s Lexi Watts bring dismissed from the field of play following an altercation after committed challenges from both players.
The yellows took the points in what they knew was a must-win fixture as they continue their fight for National League Tier 4 survival this season.
Next up is a midweek fixture this Thursday night against Bridgwater United at a home venue to be announced shortly.