Three goals and three points for the Chairgirls in their last home game of 2024!
The Chairgirls kicked off December with a bang as they put three past Selsey to take away all three points. Kayla Potter and Jess Watkins worked together to orchestrate all three goals and give the Blues their fourth win on the bounce with a dominating attacking performance.
It was an early attack for the hosts which gained them the lead in only the third minute of the game. Well-worked play down the right wing allowed for Jess Watkins to carry the ball past the visitor’s defence and send a cross into the box from the byline. Her initial cross was met by a Selsey defender situated inches in front of goal, but her attempted clearance was rattled into the net by Kayla Potter who found herself in the right place at the right time, sending the Chairgirls ahead early into the bout.
The Blues displayed an outstanding attacking performance with various other opportunities arising to extend their early lead, as Eman Kassem and Potter both had close chances at goal. However, it took 30 minutes from the opener for the Chairgirls to earn their second, as Potter sprinted down the left flank before sending a cross into the box. The perfectly weighted pass allowed for Watkins to toe the ball over the line and make it 2-0.
Wycombe went into the break with a sufficient 2-0 lead, having defended well and denying the visitor’s attempts to break through the back line looking to attack at goal.
Potter made it three for the Chairgirls early into the second half, as a short corner from the right, taken by Ellen Wardlaw, was passed off to Watkins who rounded her defender on the byline and laid the ball off to Potter situated in the centre of the box. Potter’s initial attempt was deflected back onto her path by a Selsey body but her second shot thumped straight into the top of the net, making it 3-0 in the 50th minute.
The hosts had multiple chances later into the half, with Wardlaw, Kassem, Potter and Watkins all nearing the target however none of the attempts were converted, ending the game with a strong 3-0 win for the Blues. Resilient defending from the Chairgirls also prevented the visitor’s from having any clear-cut chances at goal and allowed for a second clean sheet on the bounce.
Manager Carl Simon spoke on his side’s performance, stating, “It was very good, the team are getting better and better each week, it was a really composed performance by the players, the first half in particular they were fantastic.”
The game also marked important milestones for three young players as Sophie Harvey earned her first start for the First Team, and Sophie Schofield and Juliette Pinner both made their debuts in the senior side.
Ailish Carolan was named as player of the match, with Simon noting “from start to finish she was quality. Her work rate, she was everywhere, she did everything we wanted her to do. It’s not always the most eye-catching of things but it’s the things that a manager appreciates.”
The Wanderers now see themselves jump up to fourth in the league table on 17 points. However, the Chairgirls now face a break in league action as they set their sights on a local derby away against Penn & Tylers Green in the Southern Region Women’s Football League Cup, where they hope to continue their winning streak and progress to the next round of the competition.
