United take on Bridgwater in Adobe FA Cup 1st Round Proper
It’s a return to F.A. Cup action for Torquay United this weekend, who will surely look to make home advantage count in their favour, as they seek a second round place for the second time in three seasons.
In the way of that progress are National League Division One South West side, Bridgwater United Women, who Torquay last met in the National League campaign of 23/24. The Somerset side won both competitive matches, 1-0 on a monsoon of a night at Fairfax Park and 2-0 in the late-season encounter at Dawlish.
Ellie Bishop scored for Bridgwater in that match and is one of several players facing their old sides. Beth Everson, Chloe Kind, and Jess Smith all now sport Bridgwater colours, while alongside Bishop, United’s Jasmine Read, Alex Sheppard, and Lexie Watts have all played for Sunday’s opponents.
United top the South West Regional Women’s Premier League after their 3-0 success at Forest Green Rovers last Sunday, and it was Forest Green that Bridgwater beat 4-2 in the last round. As well as former United names, Bridgwater have also added ex-Grecian, Manfy Sharpe, to their number, and she netted her first goal, a penalty, in that cup win.
Their league campaign has been far from perfect though. They’ve won just twice, losing the other six of their National League fixtures. Successes came at Maidenhead (1-0) and versus Portishead (6-0) the teams either side of them in the table, and their eighth spot sees them effectively only five places above Torquay in the pyramid.
Last weekend, they lost 2-1 in stoppage time at Keynsham, and had their goalscorer, Keeley Barnfield sent off. Everson leads their season scoring with six goals. Barnfield and Faith Bedford have two apiece.
So, omens are good for United, who because of their rankings just start as underdogs. It’s a fact that may just suit, and be enough to guarantee full focus in a match that is definitely winnable. On such ties is F.A. Cup magic built, and of course there is a further £8000 prize money at stake, six thousand to Sunday’s winners, and a minimum £2k even if beaten in the next round. Once again, vital funds for teams in tier 5 of the football pyramid!
The Adobe Women’s FA Cup first round tie takes place at The Rec in Newton Abbott (home of Newton Abbott Spurs) with a 2 pm kick-off. The bar is open, and food is served from midday. So Yellow Army, why not make an afternoon of it, and let your voices be heard for United’s Women. Postcode for The Rec in Marsh Road is TQ12 2AR.
If you can’t get along there will be full commentary from 1.45 pm at https://tufcwomen.mixlr.com or you can follow updates on our social media channels.
Torquay United FA Cup 24/25 journey so far..
Sun 22 September | W 5-2 v Plympton Ladies AFC (Tee Kaptein 3 (2pen), Kate McKane, Emily Elliot) 2nd Qualifying Round
Sun 13 October | W 3-1 v Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies (Lucy Solloway, Kate McKane, Chloe Williams) 3rd Qualifying Round