Torquay United’s women produced another battling display, but lacking a cutting edge in the final third, were ultimately undone by two second half Bridgwater counter attacks on Thursday evening.
With several signings of late, United were able to name a full squad under the lights at Dawlish United, who kindly stepped in to host, with Coach Road and Brixham’s Wall Park both unavailable.
It meant United playing slightly uphill in a cagey first half, reminiscent of the first meeting in Somerset in October, with plenty of committed tackling but few chances at either end.
Bridgwater had one long distance effort which Emma Ayres turned around the post, Ocean Latto responding for United with a 25-yard drive that was comfortable for Ellie Mitchell in the Bridgwater goal.
Moments later it was Ayres to the rescue as a defensive error allowed former Gull, Beth Everson, in on goal, Ayres bravely out at the striker’s feet. And there was a repeat performance on the half hour, Everson again behind Torquay’s back line but Ayres, again, winning the duel.
United’s best first half efforts came from one of their new signings, Katelyn McKane. She rushed a good chance from 20 yards when played in by Latto, firing over, before almost giving the hosts a lead in first half stoppage time, cutting in from the left side of the area, Mitchell at full stretch to keep it goalless at the interval.
If Torquay’s tactics were to keep it tight in the second half, that almost went out of the window within 15 seconds of the restart. Lucy Palmer was caught in possession and with Fi Barry in on goal, hauled her down in the box. Palmer escaped with a yellow card, and United escaped as Ayres held her ground to save the centrally driven Chloe Snook penalty.
That bolstered United who enjoyed the better possession in the early part of the second half, utilising space on the right to create some good chances. Emily Eaton’s cross from the right was turned goalwards by McKane, Tracey Cross firing a 30-yard effort straight at Mitchell as Bridgwater only half cleared the danger. Then Ella Stephens became provider down the right flank, Lexi Watts diverting her back post header wide.
Torquay seemed to be turning the screw but were undone on the counter with 63 minutes played. With Latto having made a forward run to set up another attack, Everson exploited the space on United’s right, to cross for Snook to make amends for her penalty miss, as she slotted home from 12-yards.
It was a bitter blow for United, and Bridgwater exploited their lead, not taking risks and forcing /united to try and break them down. Save for a couple of distance efforts, Torquay could muster little in response. Tiana Campbell replaced Watts as United gave McKane some support up front, but as United pushed players further forward were susceptible to being caught again.
Another former Gull, Ellie Bishop, weaved her way into the box, unlucky to see her 80th minute shot come back off the foot of the post, but moments later made it 2-0, receiving a flicked-on clearance and racing through to slot past Ayres.
Torquay’s miserable night was compounded as player-manager, Cross, was injured in the last couple of minutes, having to be helped off after a heavy tackle on the edge of the Bridgwater area,
Coupled with Southampton’s 4-0 win over Selsey, United now slip back into the relegation zone, two points behind Southampton, who still have two games in hand. It means United’s next outing, at Southampton on Sunday week (“4th March), could become pivotal, in their hopes of consolidating their National League status.
Torquay United: Emma Ayres, Ella Stephens, Charlie Pettenger, Lucy Palmer, Ocean Latto, Emily Eaton,Anthea Kaptein, Rebecca McMullin, Tracey Cross (Kirsty Brown), Lexi Watts (Tiana Campbell), Katelyn McKane