Bournemouth Sports 0
United 3
(Everson 4′, Bell 11′, Stacey 90+4′)
Torquay United Women returned to winning ways in the FA Women’s National League, with three well-taken goals and a clean sheet securing victory over Bournemouth Sports.
The match could hardly have got off to a better start for Ryan Perks’ side, who were determined to put the disappointment of last weekend’s Women’s FA Cup defeat at Keynsham Town behind them. United raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 15 minutes at Chapel Gate, with the first arriving after just four minutes. A long clearance from United goalkeeper Hannah Bishop found Matilda Franchi, whose sliding pass from the left-hand side of the penalty area was met by Beth Everson, who crashed the ball into the back of the net.
On 11 minutes, it was the stuff of dreams for United, but a moment of frustration for Sports, as the second goal arrived in controversial circumstances from the home side’s perspective. Franchi’s strike inside the box appeared to leave Sports believing that Prout had got two hands to the ball, but Katelyn Bell poked it underneath the goalkeeper and finished from close range. The officials were satisfied, and United doubled their advantage.
There was a warning sign for United shortly afterwards as Emily Phillips, of Sports, flashed an effort across the face of goal which looked destined for the top corner, but thankfully for the visitors, it drifted off target.
Sports won close to double figures in corners across the 90 minutes, and just before the half-hour mark, United cleared through Jasmine Barker before Katie Dickson drove the visitors forward and whipped a dangerous ball across the penalty area, although nobody could get on the end of it.
Folkenstern was Sports’ brightest spark on a gloomy Sunday afternoon on the south coast, and she tested Bishop from range on 32 minutes.
With the memory of the second-half defeat against Maidenhead just a few matches earlier still fresh in the minds of the United players and manager Ryan Perks, Sarah Stacey was determined to find the elusive third goal before the break and put the visitors firmly in control. The forward was brought down on the edge of the box, and although a couple of deliveries followed, neither could be turned home. United would head into the interval with their two-goal advantage intact, but there was still work to do after the restart.
Franchi showed some excellent footwork on 52 minutes, and her cutback towards Everson went just behind the forward. With Stacey and Katelyn Bell also arriving in the area, Sports eventually managed to clear their lines.
The best chance of the second half came on 66 minutes, when a ball into the Sports penalty area was nearly turned into her own net by Prout, who could only palm it towards goal. A defender on the line reacted in time to hook the ball clear, and the danger was temporarily averted for the home side.
With fewer than 10 minutes remaining, Everson, who had excelled throughout the afternoon, broke forward with her pace. Her first touch was excellent, but with Prout advancing, she could only poke her effort narrowly wide of the target.
United would eventually find their third and seal an important return to winning ways for the Women’s side, with the ever-present Stacey finishing from close range. Tenacious play from Everson saw her win the ball back, and her perfectly weighted pass found substitute Dani Tyson, who in turn picked out Stacey from four yards out. The forward made no mistake, completing a thoroughly professional afternoon’s work for Perks’ side on the road.
UNITED WOMEN: 2. Ella-Mae Miller, 4. Jessica Geach, 6. Matilda Franchi, 8. Katelyn Bell, 11 Beth Everson, 13.Hannah Bishop, 14. Jasmine Barker, 15. Sarah Stacey, 16. Brooke Ellis (23. Dani Tyson), 17. Katie Dickson (20. Beth Ireland) , 19. Mollie Taylor
SUBS NOT USED: 1: Ellie Michell, 25: Hope Brinicombe
