It was another gutsy and spirited performance from Torquay United’s women, but ultimately a 5-0 defeat to National League powerhouse AFC Bournemouth at Coach Road on Sunday afternoon.
United, beset by injuries, illness and other absences which meant a short bench, will be bitterly disappointed that they got no reward for their endeavours against a Cherries side that will surely be challenging for honours in the spring.
However, the arguably more pressing concern for manager Steve Elswood will be the loss of yet another central defender, with Emma Hollingsworth feared to be facing a lengthy lay-off after leaving the field midway through the first half yesterday.
Rachel Griffiths reprised her central defensive role in the absence of Lucy Palmer, and United set out with a clear game plan, Tee Kaptein playing as a sweeper in front of the back four.
It worked well and despite Bournemouth exploiting the flanks in the early exchanges, Emma Ayres dealing with an early cross and Gemma McGuiness firing wide from moves on the right, it was the hosts who almost took an early lead.
The tenacious Nat Warman won the ball on the left wing and fed Tracey Cross, the United skipper dipping a delicious looping shot from the corner of the area, only to see Daniela Kosinska produce a wonderful fingertip save.
Bournemouth continued to explore down the right, and it brought arguably the costliest moment for United, in terms of the season. Emma Hollingsworth went down unchallenged adjusting to the cross and as Maisy Smith fired a simple chance wide, the Yellow Army could hear the defender’s distress.
United re-shuffled, Kaptein joining the back line, Cross and Rebecca McMullin alternating sweeper role, Danni Wyatt dropping to midfield and Lilly Burton on as the lone striker.
But the hosts were still affording a strong ad experienced Cherries side space on the right and in the 26th minute a three-on-two break saw the ball steered across the face of the United area, allowing McGuinness an easy finish.
United responded winning a free kick from which Warman looped the ball just over, but there were signs the visitors were getting into top gear. Shannon Albuery shot tamely before beating the offside trap but lobbing over, Ayres saved comfortably from Gemma Hillier, and Ayres was again called on to deny Ellie May Elkins.
Having done the hard work in the first half, in similar fashion to their outing at Exeter, United were undone either side of the interval. Bournemouth’s best goal of the game came three minutes into stoppage time, McGuiness stroking home sublimely from the edge of the area giving Ayres no chance and while United were still reeling from that blow, a McGuiness cross from the right was slotted home by Helen Bleazard, for a 0-3 half time score.
And any thoughts United had of mounting a comeback were undone within 80 seconds of the restart, Bleazard nodding home unmarked from a free kick on the left.
United and their faithful followers were convinced they’d reduced arrears on 53 minutes, when the tireless Emily Eaton lobbed Kosinska from 20 yards out on the right. Everyone seemed to be headed to the centre circle for the restart when the referee pointed to a goal-kick! Perhaps AFC Bournemouth’s highlights will reveal whether United were denied, or if we witnessed n optical illusion!
Scarlett Williams replaced Burton who’d been impressive chasing and challenging up front as United sensed some consolation was possible. Eaton headed wide from an Ocean Latto corner and hit a tame shot from distance, but there was no getting away from Bournemouth’s ability and experience at National League level. McGuiness hit the underside of the bar, Ayres saved from Albuery with her legs and then palmed a direct free kick over the top.
Ayres had been on her game all afternoon, but misjudged a 74th minute lob into her area, allowing Bleazard to steal in and complete her hat-trick and the scoring.
Bournemouth remain top with their 100% record from 5 games, while a point for Southampton Women drops United into the bottom two on goal difference. The visitors provided a good guide to the level needed to challenge for National League honours, and United will know how they must continue to grow into this division.
United: Emma Ayres, Ella Stephens, Emma Hollingsworth (Lilly Burton (Scarlett Williams)), Rachel Griffiths, Ocean Latto, Emily Eaton, Rebecca McMullin, Tee Kaptein, Tracey Cross, Nat Warman, Danni Wyatt
Elswood Reacts To Another Injury Setback
Following Sasha Mole’s serious injury sustained at Liskeard last season, TUWFC’s injury woe has continued into 2023/24, with new signing Milly Klinkenberg ruled out for the entire campaign in pre-season, prior to Hollingsworth looking to have followed suit in heartbreaking fashion against Bournemouth.
“It seems that the girls are getting that horrific run – we could be looking at three cruciate ligament injuries in less than six months, with Sasha, Milly and now perhaps, Emma,” said a clearly frustrated TUWFC manager Steve Elswood following the match.
“This is a bizarre statistic for any Women’s club to deal with, and it just goes to further highlight the national media coverage of cruciate injuries in the Women’s game.
“That means we’ve actually gone through all our centre-backs – we don’t have any recognised centre-backs now. As much as it was a shocking injury, I thought then girls did well to get back to it. Tee and Rachel had to go into playing centre-backs, which isn’t their normal positions, and the bench was bare anyway, with a couple of the girls being away on England Public School trials.
“We couldn’t have done any more, and I think we were up against – in my opinion – the favourites to win the league.”