Torquay United Women's Team

I thought that was a composed performance today, where we controlled much of the game, restricting a good Forest Green side to very few chances and not only knocking them off the top of the league but also effectively ending their title challenge which is now a two horse race. With injuries to Daisy Self and Sasha Mole last week, we started with midfielder Rebecca Mcmullin in the right back position, Laura Lewis, on the right, Kilburn Thompson on the left with the midfield trio of Tracey Cross, Rhi Bailey and Andrea Kaptein in the centre leaving Connie Pengelly to lead the line on her own up front. Ocean Latto, Emma Hunt and Jana Richards completed the back four in their normal positions.

We started the game strongly with the majority of possession and territory and while Forest Green looked to pass the ball, starting with taking short goal kicks, their moves eventually broke down conceding possession before they could make any headway, in our half if they were lucky and more often than not in their own inviting immediate pressure. It took an Ocean Latto corner to break the deadlock, delivered deep on the edge of the 6 yard box for Pengelly to head home leaving their keeper no chance. The referee missed a clear back pass to the Forest Green keeper that was picked up near the penalty spot which would have resulted in a very tricky to defend indirect free kick. Emma Ayres, like the Southend keeper yesterday was under no pressure whatsoever in the first half, just having to pick up a few long balls as our defence and midfield held firm.

In the second half, we needed a second goal to make life a bit more comfortable which again came from a Latto corner, this time from the boot of Connie Pengelly but in slightly more controversial circumstances. The corner was half cleared to the edge of the area with Tracey Cross and the Forest Green defender tussling for the ball with it squirming off the foot of the defender to Pengelly who powered the ball home from just outside the six yard box. The lino flagged for offside but with appeals from the Torquay players, the referee went to speak to him and after a brief discussion, the goal was given.

It was only after we scored again that Forest Green gave it a go and were able to put Torquay under pressure for the last quarter of the game with their passing finally causing some problems as our legs starting to tire. Emma Ayres pulled off a superb save from a shot hit at the edge of the area tipping the ball over the bar. On another occasion, a long ball was punted forward and really kicked off the uneven turf in front of her and she did well to hold onto the ball at full stretch above her head as I think it may have sneaked in under the angle of the crossbar. However, that was the only two occasions that I can recall our goal being under threat and with Forest Green pushing forward, there was space for Torquay to exploit at the back.

By this time, Connie Pengelly had been substituted from her lone vigil up front for a well-deserved rest with Esme Kilburn Thompson now taking over her role and she really worked hard to chase down those loss causes really epitomising the fighting spirit of this Torquay side by literally defending from the front. Scarlett Williams came on to play on the left, Danni Wyatt on the right with Alice Gue returning to the right back role releasing Rebecca McMullin back into her normal midfield position with Tracey Cross coming off.

The third goal came in the last minute of injury time with Rebecca McMullin showing both her fitness and energy levels by outpacing the Forest Green defender running onto a well placed through ball and while her shot was partially saved by the keeper, it just had the legs to creep under her and trickle agonisingly over the line. Rebecca played really well for most of the game in the unfamiliar position at right back and this small but incredibly busy and feisty player caught my eye today with her goal being the cherry on the cake. The midfield trio worked incredibly hard to control this area of the pitch and was the base upon which we built our victory.

Why do I get the feeling the Women are more likely to achieve their target than the Men get 21 points from 14 games?
Either way I bet the girls make a better fist of it.

link - the club have taken a leaf out of Exeter City‘s book and are going to host the final home game of the season at Plainmoor in just over two weeks time.

Very pleased to see the women grind out a hard fought two 2-0 win against a spirited Warminster team that never stop trying. Another professional performance was just what was needed as Bristol Rovers walloped Ilminster 6-1 and do not look like dropping any points for their final two games.

Warminster started the better team with Torquay misplacing some passes and generally being under pressure. Emma Ayres had to get down to make a Smart save at the near post from a Warminster cross/shot although to be frank that was the only save I can recall her making as our defence held firm and effectively shielded her from any meaningful threats throughout the game.

Torquay started to come back into it as the first half progressed and slowly cranked up the pressure, they created opportunities but the shots were generally hit without enough power to beat the Warminster keeper, who handled the ball very well and seemed pretty competent. Our best chance came from a free kick from Connie Pengelly but the ball just grazed the top of the crossbar with the keeper well beaten if just 6 inches lower.

In the second half Warminster again gave it a good go, but to no avail, as in the first the Torquay attacks kept increasing and eventually Tracey Cross did some good work to get the ball deep into the 6 yard box and the Warminster defender was unable to clear giving half a second for Esme Kilburn-Thompson to thump the ball home to take a well-deserved lead. Just 10 minutes later Tracey Cross was able to receive the ball in the area and make space to thump the ball home leaving the Warminster keeper for the second time with no chance.

The Warminster heads never dropped but it was our team that look the stronger and fitter going into the closing stages and the more likely to score. A win was needed and in the end this was comfortably achieved despite not scoring until midway into the second half.

With just three on the bench, including Sasha Mole still recovering from a severe concussion the squad is starting to look a little sparse with players filling gaps by playing out of position and the end of the season cannot come quickly enough. Laura Lewis was substituted after being knocked off the ball and hit in the ground hard and seemed to be limping on the pitch after the final whistle was blown.

Three games to go, seven points needed for the championship and promotion with the next two fixtures at home.

Not only that, but what is Rasputin doing there? 😯

link - as discussed previously, the women will be playing at Plainmoor a week tomorrow. I see that it is Danni Wyatt‘s 99th game for TUWFC tomorrow and hopefully it will be a great occasion for her to celebrate her 100th cap at our ground. If we manage to accumulate more points over the next two games than Bristol Rovers then we could also celebrate promotion which will be a good consolation prize, compensating for the woes of the men. If we match Bristol Rovers points gained then just a draw will be required for the final game away at Liskeard next month or a win if we drop two points on them.