The perennial underachievers made their biggest statement of the season against the Wolves, bagging a goal inside the first five minutes before adding two more in a rousing 3-0 victory at Rawlings Park.

It was Ben Smith who opened United’s account on a brisk Sunday afternoon, pouncing on an early corner and getting enough boot on the ball to see it slip past teenage keeper Mitchyl McCrory for a 1-0 advantage.

McCrory would make amends in the 25^th minute with a spectacular one-handed save, tipping a United rocket over the crossbar to keep his side in the contest.

Tolland goal-magnet Jaiden O’Brien attempted to spark his side back into life with an athletic bicycle kick in the box, but it was his United counterpart who proved a greater threat in attack.

In-form striker Nazar Yousif was a thorn in the Wolves’ side, making a number of scything runs down the right wing, and his efforts were duly rewarded with an opportunistic goal in the 31^st minute.

Faced with an unfamiliar two-goal deficit, Tolland laid siege to United’s defence and looked for a goal of their own.

However, seasoned keeper Andrew McCracken was up to the task and kept the Wolves at bay until the main break.

Tolland came out firing in the second stanza, employing plenty of through balls and chip kicks to try and find O’Brien in the box.

United skipper Lincoln Weir was the one to rally his side, taking charge from centre back and directing traffic as Tolland’s attacking raids slowed to a halt.

Super sub Tyler Allen ensured his team would have the last laugh, capping a strong second half with an 80^th minute goal to ice United’s victory, however, coach Travis Weir was less than impressed with the 3-0 result.

“We’ve certainly played worse games this year, but I wouldn’t say it’s the best we’ve played either,” Weir said.

“We missed heaps of opportunities and we should’ve won by more.”

Weir took note of Liam Brown’s performance for United, singling out his pace down the left flank in the second half.

Meanwhile, Wolves coach Daniel Lawrence admitted his side were “a bit flat” but said the squad was capable of dealing with the setback.

“We’ve set ourselves up well enough this season to be able to cope with situations like this. We’re still going for a top two finish,” Lawrence said.

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