United’s women lost 4-0 to Plymouth Argyle Ladies at Coach Road in the Devon County Cup Semi-Final on Sunday.
Torquay’s women exited the Devon County Cup at the semi-final stage – despite a hard-working display against Plymouth Argyle, at Coach Road.
United, still hamstrung by injuries, and with County Cup rules meaning recent signings were ineligible to play, were only able to field a starting eleven. With no bench, 90 minutes against higher league opposition was always going to be a tough ask, but they rose to the occasion, despite digging themselves an early hole!
In fact, United might have led with barely any time on the clock, Lexie Watts marauding down the left from the opening kick-off, and firing a goalward shot, which Lily Felgate gathered at her near post.
At the other end though, it was an early set piece which provided Argyle the lead, United’s defence winning the initial header but not the second ball allowing Ellie Sara to sweep home with just 5 minutes on the clock.
Ten minutes later it was 2-0, again United’s defensive frailties exposed, Fern Orchard cutting in from the right, and despite the initial effort being cleared off the line, no-one picked up Sara who thumped home from close range.
Torquay regrouped and at times showed real ability, some neat triangles and slick passing cutting Argyle open, primarily down the left side through Watts and Ocean Latto, and occasionally with Emily Eaton on the right. And in a half, devoid of further real goal chances, it was the Latto/Watts combo that set up Tracey Cross to fire Torquay’s most notable effort wide, just before the interval.
United applied themselves after the break, Latto this time with an effort after a neat one-two with Watts, as you felt the next goal might be vital. But a measured Argyle, able to introduce fresh legs too worked the spaces as United tried t find a way to reduce arrears.
Sara lobbed over after Emma Ayres blocked Taya Pomfret’s goal bound effort, and United’s keeper was again called on to deny the Plymouth striker her hat-trick.
Two-nil might have been a fair reflection, but as United’s tired legs told, so Plymouth gave the contest a one-sided slant. Becca McMullins slip allowed a cross from the right to evade everyone, and it was eventually driven back across Ayres and into the corner by Mia Endacott with four minutes left, before Gemma Rose’s neat lob wrapped up a measured Argyle performance in the final minute.
There’s an immediate return to league action for United, who’ll be hoping today’s ninety-minute run out, helps preparations for the visit of Exeter City to Wall Park, Brixham on Thursday evening. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
United: Emma Ayres, Ella Stephens, Lucy Palmer, Rachel Griffiths, Ocean Latto, Emily Eaton, Anthea Kaptein, Rebecca McMullin, Lexie Watts, Tracey Cross ©, Danni Wyatt