By Will Taylor and Joe Smith
USW women’s 1sts claimed a comprehensive 5-2 victory against Portsmouth on the indoor 4G surface at the Sport Park – though a second half red card was a sour note.
It was shown to USW assistant coach Craig Ready when the referee decided protests from the side were too forceful, the root of which was displeasure that an earlier Portsmouth goal hadn’t been ruled out for offside.
Fortunately it had no effect on the final outcome, which was never really in doubt.
The game began with lots of possession for a confident looking USW side, despite their last home game ending in defeat at the hands of Cardiff Met, with them testing Portsmouth keeper Maya Nelson from range on a few occasions but not really troubling the ‘keeper.
USW winger Rhianne Oakley created the first big chance courtesy of a scintillating run down the left wing before hitting a cross that nobody in red could connect with.
USW’s strong start was rewarded in the 14th minute after attacker Megan Saunders rounded her man and slot a ball across the box that striker Monet Legal diverted into the net for the opening goal.
Portsmouth found themselves 2-0 down after 24 minutes when a great run and cross from USW’s Joley Corrales was tapped in haplessly by a blue-shirted defender.
The two-goal lead lasted a mere two minutes with Portsmouth replying instantly through striker Chloe Fitzsimmons after a cross was parried by USW keeper Chloe Herbert, although the South Wales coaching staff were adamant the goal should have been ruled out for offside.
The goal of the half came from the Portsmouth camp in the 29th minute, with midfielder Lovedeep Oliviera spotting Herbert off her line and hitting a delightful chip from 25 yards out that the ‘keeper couldn’t do anything about.
Shortly into the half USW have a call for handball in the opposition’s penalty area, the ball is attempted-to be crossed the ball in by Rhianne Oakley but defender Charlotte Alner’s hand gets in the way, but the ref says no penalty.
Ready received his marching orders in the 50th minute, but the loss of composure didn’t spread to his players.
In the 51st minute, Rhianne Oakley was tackled clumsily from behind but once again the ref ignored loud appeals for a penalty.
Soon after though, USW captain Annabella Davies made it 3-2 after the hosts won a corner and Klaudia Wojkyczku teed up Oakley to feed her.
Davies claimed a brace on five minutes later with a long range shot just dropping over the top of Nelson’s head to make it 4-2 to the home team.
In the last minute of the game, Oakley made a lovely run into the box only to be chopped down as she lined up a shot.
Her penalty hit the top corner of the net to seal the emphatic win.