Steve Elswood’s side progress to the Vitality Women’s FA Cup First Round for only the second time after beating Royal Wootton Bassett 5-2.
United started brightly and on the front foot and got their nose’s in front after only three minutes, following an Ocean Latto corner that fell to the feet of Captain for the match Tracey Cross, and with her looping shot going over the head of the defender on the line it gave the team the perfect start. The Yellows continued to create chances but the final ball wasn’t quite there with the visitors only able to create anything from the counter attack. However it was in the 21st minute that one such counter attack brought Royal Wootton Bassett their equaliser, when Davis passed to substitute Baker on the right hand side and her shot from inside the area went over Emma Ayres in the United goal and the tie was level.
It only took three minutes for Torquay to restore their lead though, when a ball from Emma Hunt was played out to the right for Mia Preston, who after a neat 1-2 with Cross got into the area and slid the ball home to give United the lead back. Chances came and went for the Gulls for the remainder of the first half but the visitors defended well and the half ended with just a one goal lead for the home side.
Torquay again started the second half well, with lots of possession although they were unable to trouble Powell in the Wootton goal, though this was to change in a devastating and clinical 12 minute spell. Latto got on the scoresheet in the 62nd minute with what was undoubtedly the goal of the game, as she received the ball midway in the half and driving forward struck a beautiful shot from around 25 yards out, which went into the top corner and United finally had a two goal cushion.
The Yellows were well on top now and in the 69th minute the lead was increased, as substitute Kiara Robins played the ball over the top from the edge of the area to Ellie Bishop, who’s shot across the Wootton keeper found the far bottom corner of the goal. The United scoring was completed in the 74th minute when a long ball from the Gulls defence found Bishop, and her run into the area brought her second goal as she lifted the ball over Powell in the visitors goal. Royal Wootton Bassett did pull back a late consolation goal in added time, as a ball into the box was tucked away by Davis, but United saw out the remaining minutes to seal a 5-2 victory and a place in the First Round Proper for the second season running.
TUWFC manager Steve Elswood reflected on the win and also the upcoming First Round Draw:
“It’s always a challenge going into a Cup game against a team from our own league, so we knew it was going to be maybe harder then the previous round, with us knowing they were a young team and would bring a physical game and they had good spells in the game. I thought in the first half we weren’t at our best, but we dusted ourselves down at half time and regrouped and came out a lot stronger in the second half, and started to play our game and were pretty comfortable winners come the end. They gave us a very good battle and showed us some areas that we still need to work on, but we are delighted with the goals and the way that we scored them, along with some nice moves and flowing football.”
“The twelve minute spell in the second half where we got the three goals was pleasing, and i think we were showing that towards the end of the first half with a good goal from Mia Preston. We were slightly over hitting the ball in the first period but once we started playing to feet in the second half the goals came. Ocean Latto has been getting up the pitch recently and we will never stop her doing that, so to see her score probably the goal of the game was pleasing and she has deserved that, and i know the team are really happy for her.”
“Delighted to be into the First Round Proper for the second season running, and the financial rewards this year are very good, so because of the success of the England team winning the Euro’s in the summer the prize money has gone up. I have set these girls a target of the Third Round so we still have some work to do to get there, but it would be amazing for the Club to get there and get the fans behind us and maybe get a draw against one of the WSL teams. For now though it is feet on the ground still and we will take little steps to reach our target, and we await the First Round Draw which is still regionalised, so could include any team from Exeter to Plymouth or Southampton to Bristol City. Whoever we get we will be ready and prepared and give it our all to reach that ultimate target, although promotion is still the number one aim for us this season.”
The draw for the Vitality Women’s FA Cup First Round Proper has given TUWFC an away game at Warminster Ladies, with the tie to be played on Sunday 13th November and will have a 1pm KO. Manager Steve Elswood shared his thoughts following the draw being made on Monday:
“Personally i’m delighted with the draw as Warminster are in our league and we beat them at home 4-2 recently, but as always with the Cup we are taking nothing for granted. It will be a tough game in the same way the league game was, but we will be prepared and ready by the time the tie comes around. It was nice to avoid some of the teams in a higher league as we continue our quest to reach the Third Round Proper.”
TUWFC return to league action this coming Sunday (30th October) when they travel to face Bishops Lydeard and that game has a 2pm KO.
#OneClub #OneCommunity