Torquay United Women rounded off their pre-season preparations with a thrilling draw in South Wales on Sunday.
A fine strike from the edge of the box from Lily Billingham put the hosting Bluebirds in front on 14 minutes, however, ten minutes later, Ryan Perks’ side were back on level terms thanks to Beth Everson’s superb curling effort.
Torquay’s travelling Trialist did her chances of earning a deal no harm at all after heading The Gulls in front just past the half-hour mark, before a second from Billingham tied things up as all-square again three minutes short of the break.
The second half was full of more goalmouth action at both ends, but for a while it looked as though Haile Richards’ 49th minute goal – after beating the Torquay offside trap and rounding Gulls keeper Ellie Mitchell – would prove to be decisive.
Recent arrival Sarah Stacey, who has enjoyed a prolific pre-season with her new club, put paid to that though, with her 76th minute 20-yarder finding the back of the net to make it 3-3.
That was the way it stayed, as all attention now shifts to the real thing on Sunday – as United make their much-anticipated return to the FA Women’s National League with a trip to Wycombe Wanderers.
