United’s Women were outscored, but not outclassed, as they began life in the National League with a 4-2 defeat at Portishead Town on Sunday.
After taking an early lead, United were constantly undone by balls played in, behind their high line of defence, and Portishead strikers with pace to match. That said, United worked tirelessly in the second half and always left themselves open to conceding the fourth goal as they pushed to earn a draw.
Alan Wyatt made a couple of changes from last week’s pre-season win over Exeter’s U23s, Emma Hollingsworth in at centre back for the injured Milly Klinkengberg, and Emily Eaton, as the focal point of United’s attack.
And it was United, pressing from the opening whistle who forged ahead with barely three minutes on the watch. The press saw skipper Tracey Cross dispossess a defender and chip advancing keeper, Yasmin Davies. There was an intake of breath as the ball spun off the base of the post and over the line almost in slow motion, before United could celebrate!
The visitors could have replicated twelve minutes later, again Cross stealing possession, but Ocean Latto’s shot was too tame to trouble Davies. But Portishead were growing into the contest, and a slick move on the left saw Tamzin Hayward find Amy Clark unmarked in United’s area, Emma Ayres to the rescue with a diving save to her right.
The danger continued, and Hayward presented an even clearer chance to Clark, but she blazed wildly over when it seemed certain she would equalise. With Portishead using their experience of three seasons at this level, the goal was coming, and Clark finally took her opportunity, seizing onto one of those through passes to beat the advancing Ayres, Hollingsworth just unable to stop from crossing the line.
United responded brilliantly, Eaton with a rasping, rising 25 yard drive, which produced an equally magnificent save from Davies, turning the ball onto the bar and over.
The hosts though, would take a lead to the interval, United punished by a defensive error from their own clearance, and Annys Turner was able to slip the ball under Ayres for 2-1.
United plugged away before the break, Ella Stephens combining with Eaton to set up Cross, whose shot was deflected wide. Next, Eaton won the ball only to see Tee Kaptein fire the shot over the top before Rebecca McMullin hit a 30-yard effort straight at Davies.
Twice in first half stoppage time though, Portishead could, and should, have extended their advantage, Clark guilty of both misses, the first from the edge of the area, and then slotting a gilt-edged chance wide of Ayres post.
Alan Wyatt made a double change at the break, Esme Kilburn-Thompson replacing Eaton up front and Rachel Griffiths on for Nat Warman. The change saw McMullin drop into the right back role she’d filled admirably last season, allowing Stephens to exert her pace from right midfield.
The effects weren’t immediate though. as Portishead came out keen to kill the game off, Turner beating Ayres but Hollingworth back to clear for United before United’s stopper denied the home strikers next effort from 18 yards. The relief was short-lived as Portishead increased their lead from the corner on the left, Lucy Hilton-Davies arriving at the back post to head home, unmarked.
United could have accepted defeat as Portishead’s experience, pace and quick ball movement were highlighting how United will need to improve to compete week in, week out at National League level. But this United side has no shortage of spirit or belief and responded immediately, from their own set piece, a route-one free kick from deep in their own half, pounced upon by Cross to lob home, reducing arrears to 2-3.
With Griffiths controlling the midfield, United enjoyed their best spell, playing some of the flowing football we’ve seen in pre-season, and with a little more conviction in the end product may have earned a draw. Kilburn-Thompson put a low shot wide, Cross just failed to stab home what would have been a hat-trick from a Latto corner, then Latto herself hit a beauty that looped over in increasingly testing conditions.
Chloe Kind replaced Cross, and she, Stephens and Kilburn-Thompson terrorised Portishead down the right, and Danni Wyatt provided an extra target up top, replacing the energetic Jess Smith as United sought a point from their performance.
As so often happens though, that search for an equaliser opens vulnerabilities. Once again it was a through pass to Turner, surviving a tight offside call to race clear and beat Ayres, that finally ended United’s efforts with seven minutes left.
This was probably the ideal opening day fixture for Torquay. Portishead have presumably strengthened to improve on last season’s mid-table finish, so United now know what to expect, and, with a bit more pace and energy, ought to be able to establish themselves in this division.
Make no mistake, though, the step up in division is a big one, and sterner tests await. A trip to Moneyfields in the League Cup, next Sunday, before a return at home in the league, against last season’s runners up, may give United the real measure of where they are. Nevertheless, this was a creditable opening day performance, even if they came up a fraction short.
UNITED: Emma Ayres, Ella Stephens, Emma Hollingsworth, Emma Hunt, Jess Smith (Danni Wyatt), Nat Warman (Rachel Griffiths), Rebecca McMullin, Tee Kaptain, Ocean Latto, Tracey Cross (Chloe Kind), Emily Eaton (Esme Kilburn-Thompson). Substitute Not Used: Lucy Palmer