Disappointment for Gulls as Keynsham progress
TUFC’s women narrowly missed out on being the third United side to make FA Cup progression this week, as the hosts avenged their recent league defeat to The Gulls.
Ryan Perks named a largely unchanged side from the team that suffered defeat away to Plymouth Argyle seven days earlier. United headed into the tie having tasted defeat in their previous two outings, with their last victory coming against Sunday’s opponents, Keynsham Town Ladies. The hosts’ form had taken a turn for the better since United’s last visit to the KJN Stadium, having recorded their first league win of the season and held Exeter City to a 3-3 draw in their previous outing.
First Half
The hosts would create the first opportunity of the afternoon inside the opening two minutes. A Keynsham player found herself with time and space inside the box, but her effort was comfortably saved by Ellie Mitchell in the United goal.
United responded, with Franchi going close as both sides made for a frantic opening to the cup tie. The first major opportunity for the visitors would arrive in the 10th minute. Following a corner, Keynsham failed to clear their lines, allowing United captain Mollie Taylor to get a shot away. With the home goalkeeper beaten, Taylor’s effort rattled the crossbar before the hosts managed to clear their lines.
United continued to show their trademark stubbornness in defence while looking to find a way through the Keynsham backline. The Gulls patiently probed and looked to create openings, but, much like their previous league encounter, they were repeatedly frustrated by a determined home side who looked dangerous on the counterattack.
Beth Everson and Sarah Stacey would both go close for United as the clock ticked towards the final quarter of the first half. However, despite enjoying a good spell and creating a number of opportunities, the visitors were unable to find the breakthrough.
Instead, it would be the hosts who broke the deadlock just before the interval. The goal came against the run of play, with United having largely controlled proceedings but failing to turn their chances into a lead.
Second Half
United emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and started the brighter of the two sides. Beth Everson, who had posed a threat throughout the afternoon, found herself with time and space in a promising position, but a heavy first touch allowed the Keynsham goalkeeper to close the angle and make the save.
Sarah Stacey would then go close for the visitors. A through ball found the forward inside the penalty area, putting her one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but she was unable to keep her effort down as the ball sailed over the crossbar.
United continued to push for an equaliser and their persistence would finally pay off just before the hour mark. An inviting cross from the wing found Sarah Stacey, who produced a looping header over the advancing goalkeeper to bring the Gulls level.
The goal proved to be the spark United needed, as they immediately stepped up a gear and began to play with greater intensity and purpose. With a foothold back in the contest, the visitors looked determined to find a second and turn the tie in their favour.
In the 70th minute, Stacey came agonisingly close to putting United ahead. The forward forced an excellent save from the Keynsham goalkeeper, who did brilliantly to keep the scores level.
However, the game would take another twist just three minutes later. Keynsham caught United on the counter-attack and found the back of the net to restore their lead in the 73rd minute, leaving the visitors with work to do once again.
United continued to search for another equaliser as the game entered its closing stages. With just two minutes of normal time remaining, Mollie Taylor came close to producing a late leveller, striking an effort from around 25 yards that rattled the crossbar for the second time in the afternoon, with the woodwork once again coming to the host’s rescue.
That would prove to be United’s final opportunity of the afternoon, as Keynsham saw out the remaining minutes to secure their place in the next round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Report by Martyn Norman
