United progress after five-goal thriller at Plainmoor.
Torquay United’s women are into the First Round proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, following a 3-2 win over Southampton Women’s FC.
United began the game well, and were nearly a goal up in the fifth minute, as Elliott and Franchi linked up to feed Jas Barker six yards out, with only a last-ditch block from a Sirens defender denying her the opening goal.
Three minutes later though, the visitors took the lead.
Some hesitant defending was all the invitation Southampton needed, with Izzy Conti sending an ambitious 25-yarder over the head of Carly Kelland and into the back of the net.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium thereafter, with both sides unable to seriously test the opposing goalkeeper, leaving Torquay with a deficit to chase at the break.
Five minutes after the restart though, it was all-square.
Roxy Thomas was the one who levelled things up, with a terrific 20-yarder free kick that found the top corner of the net via the United No.3’s left boot.
In the 61st minute, United were ahead.
A ball into the path of Barker saw the Gulls’ forward force the Sirens keeper into a fine save, but with the ball falling kindly into the path of Emily Elliot, who slotted the ball home from eight yards out to make it 2-1.
Unfortunately, the lead was wiped out just 60 seconds later.
Hannah Francis’ rising drive from the edge of the box initially looked well-covered by Kelland, however, the ball flashed past her and inside the near-post to draw Southampton level in double-quick time.
With time ticking down, the Yellow Army were starting to brace themselves for a third penalty shoot-out within a fortnight, but with seconds remaining, United had the final say.
Barker, who had kept plugging away despite little reward, made the most of a retreating backline by looking up and firing home into the centre of the net, and send United into the first round proper in the process.
UNITED: 21. Carly Kelland, 2. Lucy Palmer (c), 3. Roxy Thomas, 4. Lily Hilton, 6. Matilda Franchi, 7. Emily Elliott, 8. Katelyn Bell, 12. Issy Hillier-Nickels, 14. Jas Barker, 16. Jess Geach, 19. Bex McMullin.
Subs: 1. Esme Bradley, 17. Sasha Mole, 19. Bex McMullin, 23. Lexie Hembry, 29. Lexie Watts, 30.Evelyn Bray
Attendance: 495
