United head to Marine Academy Plymouth Ladies in the Devon County Women’s Premier Cup.
It’s a curious fixture amongst Torquay’s congested 2025 fixture programme – a competition they hold dear, but a game against fellow title rivals just a few weeks before what might become a championship decider, when the pair meet at the same venue, next month. And, of course, it would add at least one more fixture to the schedule, which could extend United’s season until May!
Curious too, as the omission of Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle from the competition because of their National League status, has devalued the competition, according to United boss, Lee Mann. “I’m a manager that wants to play against the best, and we need to know where we are at,” he told me this week, saying the change to the format after many years with Argyle and City in the mix has “made a mockery of the County Cup (which makes United) technically the top-ranked side in the competition.”
That said, no manager wants to lose matches, and Lee Mann is no exception. His side, after two defeats in a disjointed winter programme, have started to gain the sort of momentum they had in October, and it’s something they’ll want to continue. Not only because victory over M.A.P. would see Torquay progress, but because it would in some way redress the narrow home league defeat, and perhaps, give United the edge ahead of next month’s league return.
In that league encounter, played at Exwick, there was nothing between the sides. Both had periods of control. Both created chances. Both had their goalkeepers, Leigh Black for M.A.P and Jasmine Read for United, to thank on several occasions. Just one midfield hesitation and a good finish took the points that day, and as tight an encounter can probably be expected on Sunday.
Both sides have conceded just 11 in the league so far this season, M.A.P having played four more than United, but Torquay have scored 22 in their last three outings. Both sides can produce goals from all over the pitch, but only if the defences allow.
Sunday’s match at the Manadon Football Development Centre in Plymouth kicks off slightly later than usual. If you can make the short trip to support the ladies, the ground is at St Peter’s Road, Plymouth, PL5 3FD
If you can’t make the trip, then live radio commentary returns this weekend at tufcwomen.mixlr.com and we will be on air from the slightly later time of 2 pm.
