Lean on Me || Jill Roord

35. Yanited Sweeps

Our last Manchester Derby arrived quicker than any of us could imagine as the season entered its last couple months. Everyone was buzzing during training the week prior because the match was set to be played in the Etihad. Team morale was on a high entering Saturday morning as the team trickled in to walk the pitch before the match.

Jill and I walked out of the tunnel towards a group of our teammates, a lighter pep in her step that brought a smile to my face. Viv had reached out to her last night mainly telling her she wasn't renewing her contract with Arsenal and just needed someone to talk to. They'd been friends since they were little and it just made sense. Though Jill told me Viv still wanted to stay within the WSL and was asking what it was like here at city; in all honesty Jill took it as Viv possibly moving here which she'd be over the moon about.

"You seem happier," I elbowed Jill beside me earning me a look from a smiley Jill.

"I have a good feeling about today, that's all." I hummed turning back to the pitch in front of us, a small smile appearing on my face as Jill slipped her hand into mine. I loved when she was happy, and in all honesty I was really proud of her at the moment. She's been progressing really well in rehab; quicker than I had and everything seems fine so far.

As game time neared, Jill and I sat down above the subs watching the starting elevens walk out. The stadium was filled with blue and red clashing about; the fans cheering on their team and also booing the other. Rivalries rooted deep within this match, I'd always loved derby matches the most because of the atmosphere around them. They also added extra motivation because everyone loved bragging rights, and if they didn't they're lying.

For once the sun was out, and the weather was chilly but not unbearably chilly making it the perfect weather for an afternoon game. When the whistle blew signaling the start of the game, I sucked in a deep breath focusing my attention back to the field. Glancing in Jill's direction to see her already focused and analyzing the match. United was relentless for the first ten minutes, finding gaps in our back line and pressing as far forward as they could. Nikita Parris let off a dangerous shot after fighting her way past Leila; luckily Khiara was able to make a save on it. All of us on the bench let out a sigh of relief. If this first ten minutes was going to set the pace for the rest of it, we'd be in for a long game.

It wasn't until the 26th minute that we got a proper shot on goal forcing Mary Earps to make a diving save. Jess had found herself in an open space and opted to shoot immediately from distance; she wasn't too far off with her shot. Either way though, the scoreline stayed 0–0 and tensions were slowly rising between the teams. United had already gotten a yellow not even five minutes ago.

Ten agonizing minutes later, the scoreline was finally broken by none other than Jess Park after a flurry of shots within a couple of minutes. On the overlap, Leila crossed it into the box where we had multiple bodies ready. The ball landed perfectly at Jess' feet and she directed it into the goal on the volley causing me to shoot out of my seat in celebration. Everyone on the bench cheered for Jess, all of us relieved that the deadlock was no more.

Our goal seemed to fuel the fire as the player's on the pitch found a second wind and holding possession much better. We almost scored yet another goal, but Bunny was offsides by a mile and there wasn't much we could've done about that.

Though what really turned this match on its head was Jess' second goal; it came from a cross some distance outside of the box, then off someone's head and yet again to Jess' foot where she directed it into the goal on the volley once more. My grin was massive as we took a two goal lead into the half because I knew this match was ours. Everyone just had that feeling.

The second half brought two more goals, one for each team, but ultimately securing a 3-1 victory for us. Also meaning we'd beat united every time we played them this season. A Yanited Sweep.