Steve Elswood’s team kept up their promotion ambitions following their 2-1 victory over Bishops Lydeard Ladies on Sunday at Coach Road.
With the two sides placed fourth (Torquay) and fifth (Bishops Lydeard) in the league, and after United drew 3-3 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, the Yellows knew they were in for a tough & tight game.
United started on the front foot asking questions of their opponents’ back line, but without creating a clear-cut chance until the 9th minute, when they deservedly took the lead following their bright opening. The goal though wasn’t without controversy, as Laura Lewis played the ball through to Daisy Self, and with the Bishops Lydeard backline appealing for offside, Self continued her run into the area where she placed the ball over the top of the visitors’ keeper, and with no offside flag raised United went 1-0 up much to the frustration of their opponents.
United continued to come forward without too much success and Bishops Lydeard started to grow into the game, with their counter attacks causing the United backline a few nervy moments, but Emma Ayres was equal to anything that was shot at here by the visitors front players. However a free kick to the visitors on the edge of the area nearly brought them the equaliser, with Lydeard’s top scorer Imogen Miller getting her shot on target but the ball was cleared off the line by the United defender.
United almost doubled their lead a few minutes later though when Esme Kilburn-Thompson found herself in space just outside of the area, and after deciding to lift it over Daw in the Lydeard goal who was off her line, saw her effort come crashing back off the post and back into play. Both teams tried to create chances as the half wore on but the whistle blew and the Yellows went in at the break a goal to the good.
The second half began just as the first half had with United on the front foot from the start, but the game then became more open with Bishops Lydeard starting to look dangerous on the counter attack again but once again being marshalled well by the United backline, including some important tackles coming in from Ocean Latto.
With the game ebbing and flowing and both sides looking to score without them being clear-cut it was United again who nearly doubled their lead on 65 minutes, as Connie Pengelly received the ball just outside the area and her dipping shot beat the keeper, but just narrowly went over the crossbar. However Pengelly didn’t have to wait too long to get her goal, as in the 77th minute she robbed the Lydeard defender just inside their half, and racing towards goal the forward rounded the keeper and smashed the ball into the empty net to double the Yellows lead.
Bishops Lydeard, although stunned by that goal, reacted well and four minutes later in the 81st minute they got a penalty, with Jana Richards adjudged to have fouled the visitors player in the area, and despite Richards’ protests the referee pointed to the spot. Miller having had her first half free kick cleared off the line, made no mistake from 12 yards out and the Somerset side pulled an goal back to make it an interesting finale to the game. United though held on and the full time whistle was greeted with relief after a hard fought game, meaning United’s aim of promotion continues gathering pace.