Torquay’s women kicked off 2024 with a ring-rusty performance, unable to capitalise, as Abingdon United ran out 4-2 winners on an eventful afternoon at Wall Park, despite being reduced to 9 players.
It’s six weeks since the ladies played a competitive fixture and it was a nervy and tentative opening half hour, where the visitors did all the damage. Abingdon had played twice in that gap, including last weekend, and were match sharper from the off.
Barely twenty seconds had elapsed when a back header from the opening kick off left United keeper Emma Ayres stranded, the home side’s central defenders alert enough to block Alexandra Ashley’s goal bound effort off the line. Relief though was short lived as the visitors were ahead 90 seconds later, As Erin Hartigan’s low cross was swept home by Lia Francis, under the advancing Ayres.
United responded with a couple of balls over the top but they were easily dealt with by the big Abingdon back line. Good work from Tee Kaptein set up Ellie-Jayne Bishop, who turned her defender well but made little contact with the shot. But with Emily Eaton and Ella Stephens offering Torquay some width, it was the latter that set up and then orchestrated the eleventh minute equaliser. Stephens was fouled on the right flank of the area after outpacing the left back and got up to deliver the free kick on to the head of Rachel Griffiths, Bishop ensuring the ball was over the line.
Momentarily that looked to have settled United, but they were still not winning second balls, allowing Abingdon to regroup quickly. And United fell behind again of their own undoing, though Megan Crawford’s 20+ yard effort was unstoppable. Torquay conceded a needless corner, and despite clearing the initial delivery, Crawford was afforded space to turn, control and unleash her shot.
2-1 became 3-1 on 22 minutes, Ayres out to clear a route one ball over the top, only to see her clearance ricochet off Hartigan and into her path, giving the striker a clear shot on the now unguarded net. And Abingdon had fired another shot just over before United’s defence was sliced open, and Hartigan rifled home for 4-1 just after the half hour.
United heads didn’t drop though and despite still finding the going tough, forged an opportunity of their own, before half time, Bishop setting up Eaton, but her 20-yard effort was too close to Hannah Cox in the Abingdon goal.
The half time team talk and a couple of early second half changes, Amy Salter on for Ocean Latto, and Rhi Bailey replacing Lexi Watts, upped United’s game. The tenacious tackling of Bailey gave United a midfield bite they’d not had in the opening 45, allowing Tracey Cross, and Kaptein more freedom to distribute the ball.
But the complexion of the game changed ten minutes after the break, Hartigan and Kaptein getting chippy after a challenge, with several players involved in the scuffle that followed. United were perhaps lucky to escape at least one caution, and Abingdon seeing Hartigan sent off by referee Steve Godfrey, after consulting with both officials.
It was the spur Torquay needed and they soon reduced arrears, Cross battling for the ball with the advancing Cox, and squaring for Salter, who finished very neatly. Moments later it could and maybe should have been better, Bailey driving a shot from the edge of the area, but again, straight at Cox.
Danni Wyatt replaced the impressive Salter, who injured a knee, soon after. The club will be collectively holding its breath, while she undergoes further assessment.
Bishop went close to reducing arrears further, her dipping 25-yard effort from wide on the right as Torquay counter attacked, dropped just over.
Moments later as United surged forward again, Wyatt went to ground, with the referee’s assistant flagging for an offence. After consultation, referee Godfrey reached for his back pocket once again, to give Sahara Osborne-Ricketts Abingdon’s second red card.
There was space now for Torquay and with a disjointed second half offering generous stoppage time, United pursued their challenge. Rebecca McMullin’s header from Stephens right-wing cross was brilliantly saved, United unable to poach the rebound, and Bailey’s low ball across goal just needed a Torquay touch but was deflected out for a corner. Into stoppage time, again down the right Bishop and Stephens combining, but Wyatt could only fire her shot straight at Cox, and when United won a free kick 35-yards out, Cross again could only find the hands of Cox.
Ultimately a stubborn Abingdon side were able to see out an extra quarter of an hour to consign Torquay to defeat, and a continued presence in the bottom two.
Next up in a fortnight is a trip to Keynsham, one United will have earmarked for winning some points, especially after the Bristol side’s controversial victory in the reverse at Coach Road, earlier in the campaign.
Torquay United: Emma Ayres, Rebecca McMullin, Lucy Palmer, Rachel Griffiths, Ocean Latto (Amy Salter)(Danni Wyatt), Ella Stephens, Tracey Cross, Lexi Watts (Rhi Bailey), Tee Kaptein, Emily Eaton, Ellie-Jayne Bishop Sub Not Used: Scarlett Williams