United 10
(Pengelley 1′, 24′, Westacott o.g. 17′, Kaptein 21′, 42′, 53′, Everson 46′, Barker 60′, 90′ Thomas 67′)
Saltash 1
(Procter 75′)
United’s women climbed to the top of the table on Sunday, as they secured a huge win over Saltash at Coach Road.
There were just 40 seconds on the clock when Torquay opened the scoring, as Connie Pengelley made it two goals in two games following her return to the club from Bridgwater, as she forced the ball home from close range after Saltash goalkeeper Tiffany Westacott failed to gather.
That set the tone, as it remained largely one-way traffic thereafter.
A string of corners followed, with the highlight coming in the 17th minute, with Roxy Thomas’ delivery proving too much for the Saltash goalkeeper, who could only palm the ball into the back of the net.
On 21 minutes it was three. A mix-up at the back allowed Georgie Knott to pick up on the loose ball and feed Tee Kaptein, who duly slotted the ball past the beleaguered Westacott.
Goal number four wasn’t far away. Just three minutes to be precise.
Thomas was once again the instigator, with another delicious delivery finding Pengelly at the back post, with the United striker calmly prodded the ball home to make it 4-0.
A relative goal drought followed, until it was 5-0 three minutes before the interval, with Kaptein grabbing her second with a low finish to the keeper’s left.
Refreshed after the interval, United carried on as they left off.
Once again, there were only a few seconds on the clock when Beth Everson slammed the ball home from a tight angle to make it six.
The next goal saw Kaptein claim her hat-trick. Matilda Franchi’s shot may have been turned away by Westacott, but it was straight into the path of United’s No.20, who gleefully make it seven without reply.
Substitute Jasmine Barker announced her introduction in fine style on the hour mark, with a trademark wondergoal. Having already made her name with a number of impressive efforts this term, Barker’s curling effort found its target perfectly to make it 8-0.
If there was one player who deserved a goal but had missed out thus far, it was Thomas.
Thankfully her reward came in the 67th minute, as the cultured left-back fired home a marvellous effort from 25 yards.
In fairness to United’s opponents, they kept going despite the soul-destroying scoreline, and in the 74th minute they claimed a consolation goal, as Gracie Procter pulled one back to make it 9-1.
Although the lack of a clean sheet will have been a disappointment, they re-established the nine-goal margin with the final kick of the game, as Barker fired home with another wonderful strike from distance.
An afternoon to remember, and a result that gives Ryan Perks’ side a league position to match.
Plenty more work to be done, but performances like this will make it very difficult for Torquay to be moved from the summit.
UNITED: 13. Ellie Mitchell, 3. Roxy Thomas, 4. Lily Hilton (c), 6. Matilda Franchi, 8. Katelyn Bell, 9. Beth Everson, 10. Connie Pengelly, 15. Georgie Knott, 16. Jess Geach, 20. Tee Kaptein, 29. Mollie Taylor.
SUBS: 2. Palmer, 12. Isabel Hiller-Nickels, 14. Jasmine Barker, 26. Ella Pawley, 27. Skye MacDonald-Brown.
