Torquay United’s women left themselves with too much to do, despite a spirited second half performance at Keynsham Town, going down 3-1 on Sunday.
It wasn’t exactly a game of two halves, but one dominated by the hosts in the first 45, with the visitors on top after the break.
Beset by serious injuries (Amy Salter confirmed as United’s fourth ACL victim in 9 months, earlier in the week) and absentees, the visitors could only manage one substitute, in the form of new signing Kirsty Brown, with Danni Wyatt returning to the starting 11, in place of Ellie-Jayne Bishop.
United made the worst possible start, and behind after just fifteen seconds, as a ball in behind the central defenders allowed Naomi Clipston to nip in and slot low past Emma Ayres.
Vickey Vipond was next to try her luck, beating Ocean Latto before firing across goal, before Justine Lorton fired a direct free kick straight at Ayres as Keynsham took control. Brooke Stirrup fired over as United failed to deal with a corner, whilst Lorton brought a low save from Ayres down by her post.
With little to write home about in attack leading up to that point, on the half hour a moment of skill almost forged an equaliser for United. Latto’s turn and forward run left a defender in her wake, with her chipped drive from the left edge of the Keynsham area leaving Charlotte Haynes beaten, however the effort dropped just over, rather than under the bar.
Sport can be cruel, and after United had come within a whisker of parity, they were two, then three-nil behind within minutes. Another through ball split United’s central defence, and saw Hannah Price fire a low finish into the corner, before United gave Vipond too much time to drive the ball high into the corner from 12 yards out.
Looking to respond, Tracey Cross mustered a 35-yard attempt which looped over before the break, but in truth, United hadn’t tested goalkeeper Haynes in the opening half.
It was though, a different Torquay who emerged after the break, forging two quick corners and looking to find Emily Eaton on the right flank, and Lexi Watts, now in an advanced role on the left flank. Watts fired over from 20 yards on the corner of the area, before Brown made her United debut, on for Wyatt.
It was Brown who instrumental as Torquay found themselves a lifeline on 64 minutes. A sublime turn in midfield before saw the ball stroked out wide to Eaton on the right, who crossed low for Watts to thump home at the back post.
Ayres saved a long-range Keynsham effort and then bravely at the feet of Vipond before United missed chances to set up a grandstand finish. Anthea Kaptein chipped a neat ball into Tracey Cross in the inside left channel, and after her first shot well saved by Haynes, her rebound cleared off the line by a covering defender.
With their tails up, Torquay pressed for the second, Cross went down the right, looping the ball over for Watts who had time to either control and shoot, or head home, but instead went for the volley, which rose agonisingly over the bar.
It would prove to be Unted’s last chance of note.
There will be little time to dwell on this defeat, as the Ladies host Southampton at Coach Road next Sunday, in what is looking to be a real must-win encounter, towards the goal of National League consolidation.
Torquay United: Emma Ayres, Ella Stephens, Lucy Palmer, Anthea Kaptein, Ocean Latto, Lexi Watts, Rebecca McMullin, Tracey Cross, Rachel Griffiths, Emile Eaton, Danni Wyatt (Kirsty Brown)