By Joe Tunney and Joe Henry
USW women’s 1sts kicked the season off with an emphatic victory against Essex Blades at the Sports Park.
The hosts took the lead in the 2nd minute through a free-kick from captain Chloe Chivers.
And it wasn’t long before Chivers combined with impressive Taite Trivett for a second, the first of a hat-trick for the dangerous right-winger.
USW added a third in the 18th minute as Essex failed to clear their defensive lines and Olivia Townsend pounced.
The home side had many chances to stretch their lead before the interval, but through a combination of the woodwork and the linesman’s flag – which ruled out a Ciera Lundy header just before half time – the game remained at 3-0 at half-time.
Essex Blades made multiple substitutions during the interval and it paid dividends as they claimed their first goal early in the second half through an Amelia Montaque header in the 50th minute.
Pic: Josh Jenkins
The vistors’ momentum did not last long as a back-pass from Amelia Trayler in the 53rd minute led to an indirect free-kick for USW.
After a delicate lay-off from Trivett Chivers smashed the set-piece into the net.
Four minutes later Trivett scored her second of the game cooly finishing one-on-one with the Essex goalkeeper after a defence-splitting ball from Townsend.
USW extended their lead to 6-1 in the 60th minute as Ingred Adland capitalised on a sloppy clearance from Kyra Russo
Trivett made it 7-1 with 15 minutes left after being put through by Chivers and in the 88th minute it was 8-1 after a great 30-yard strike from Lundy.
Essex had the last word with a 40-yard screamer from Niamh Pridie but there was no denying USW a statement victory.