Toughest test yet as leaders come to town
Torquay United make another attempt to resume their South West Regional Women’s Premier League campaign this weekend. But in marked contrast to a week ago, instead of preparing to face the side at the bottom, it’s league leaders, Marine Academy Plymouth Ladies who come to town, this Sunday.
‘Come to town’ may not be totally accurate though! With Exeter City hosting Sunderland at Coach Road in Newton Abbot, and with a low likelihood of grass pitches being playable after another week of bad weather, this one takes place at the Exwick Sports Hub, formerly the home of The Grecians!
So, another week of different preparations for United, but at least this is on a synthetic surface, which seems to be their preference, and the sizeable Exeter surface should allow for a more expansive Torquay performance, than did the tight area at Ivybridge before Christmas.
That defeat, United’s only league loss in their meager seven games so far this campaign, means they still hold all the aces, going into Sunday’s clash against MAP. Torquay may be 7 points adrift of top spot, but MAP have played three more games, so a win or draw keeps United in the box seat. Even defeat, with the return game due at Manadon later in the campaign isn’t the end of the world. But Torquay need a decent belated start to 2025, to rejuvenate the momentum they were building.
Interestingly both sides have identical goal records, having scored 34 and conceded just eight. Remember though, United have played three less. Sunday’s encounter therefore is unlikely to be a goal-fest, though both sides can punish mistakes. MAP found a way to win last time out against a strengthened Frampton Ranger Ladies, having been held to a draw by Sherborne Town Ladies previously. Theor only defeat (0-1) came at the hands of fellow title contenders, Forest Green Rovers Women.
Carmen Morison, who got the winner over Frampton last weekend, leads their scorers with 10, while Abbie Woodward has nine, Amy Pridham 8 and Elizabeth Overton seven, so plenty able to hit the target.
Still may be an important month in United’s title tilt with Forest Green to come at home in a fortnight and the re-arranged trip to St Austell now sandwiched in next weekend. So, please come and support the ladies on Sunday if you can. Exwick Sports Hub is on Ennerdale Way, Exeter EX4 2BQ. If you can make the trip, then live commentary is on-air from 1.45 pm at https://tufcwomen.mixlr.com