After a testing week, Torquay United Women produced a spirited performance to clinch their first point of the season in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Maidenhead.
Three successive league defeats, culminating in the heavy midweek defeat to local rivals Exeter City (7-0), had provided further evidence of the step up in class following last season’s promotion to the FA Women’s National League, however TUWFC’s fighting spirit was there for all to see on Sunday, as they came within a whisker of claiming maximum points at York Road.
The early exchanges appeared ominous as Maidenhead raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of strikes from Nat Cowell and Izzy Stockton inside the opening half-hour. However, United responded to the setback in magnificent fashion.
Emily Eaton’s goal on the stroke of half-time proved to be crucial, and after Rhi Bailey levelled the scores with five minutes remaining, Torquay then went in search of a late winner.
In the third minute of injury time, they appeared to have found it, as Esme Kilburn-Thompson grabbed her first goal of the season to send the visiting bench into raptures.
Sadly, the joy was to be somewhat short-lived, as Cowell pounced at the death to notch her second of the game, and salvage a point for her side in the process.
Although understandably disappointed at being denied so late, a first point at fourth-tier level is undoubtedly something to build upon, ahead of the home match against Keynsham this weekend.