Despite taking a two goal lead, Alan Wyatt’s ladies slipped to defeat against Moneyfields on Sunday.
United’s women surrendered a two-goal advantage as they lost their National League home opener to a slick and experienced Moneyfields side. United got off to a scorching start, to match the 30+ degree temperatures at Brixham’s Wall Park ground but succumbed to a side who showed their proficiency at NL level.
Having lost a tight League Cup encounter 1-0 to a stoppage time goal at Moneyfields last weekend, Alan Wyatt made just one change, with Danni Wyatt in for Nat Warman, while the visitors made three changes to their line-up. Having seen Gemma Simmonds fire over for Moneyfields in the early exchanges, United set about exploiting space down either flank, and it produced a dream start. Ocean Latto’s ball into space on the left wing saw Wyatt and Esme Kilburn-Thompson combine to win United’s first set piece. Latto’s corner was met by the head of Emma Hollingsworth and a quick-thinking Wyatt played the ball back to the United central defender to slot home. Joy almost turned to delirium within 100 seconds. Ella Stephens, this time down the right, won another corner and from her pinpoint delivery, Hollingsworth rose highest to glance home for 2-0.
United had a tough opposition on the ropes, but one of two officiating decisions at key points of the game, changed the outlook of the first half. Given this season’s leniency on tussles between forwards and defenders, Moneyfields were awarded one of the softest penalties you will see all season. Two-goal heroine Hollingsworth standing her ground and shouldering Sharna Capel-Watson away from the ball was penalised, and Chelsie Hay slotted into the bottom left corner, despite Emma Ayres guessing correctly. If that decision was curious, so was the non-decision just four minutes later, when United could and probably should have had their own penalty. Latto robbed a defender on the left and as she slipped a low ball across the area was clattered by the advancing Eve Annetts. Nothing given!
United plugged away for a third, Rachel Griffiths putting Tee Kaptein through the inside right slot, her wonderful control and fierce effort crashing back off the post, skipper Tracey Cross only able to fire the rebound over.
The penalty though had awakened the visitors from their early shellshock and Moneyfields quietly but confidently grew into the game using their National League know-how to good effect, moving the ball quickly, and starting to dominate in midfield. But it was defensive errors that led t the home sides’ undoing before the interval.
First, they twice failed to clear a free kick from the left edge of the area and Kirsty Pierce slid home the equaliser, eleven minutes before the break. Seven minutes later and again miscommunication between Ayres and Jana Richards allowed Charley Wilson-Wilton to steal the ball, round Ayres and finish from a tight angle. And four minutes into stoppage time United conceding again, failing to take control at
the back, despite several chances to clear, allowing Hay to fire home her second and take Moneyfields to a 4-2 half-time advantage.
The game could have been over immediately after the restart, Hay allowed space on the left, the defence not dealing with the cross, the crossbar coming to their rescue from Hay’s delightful toe poke. It prompted a double substitution from Alan Wyatt, Emily Eaton and Chloe Kind replacing Stephens and Danni Wyatt, and United enjoyed their best spell of the half, only to be undone by another contentious decision.
Rhi Bailey, on for injured skipper Cross, and Kilburn-Thompson had shots blocked, but another training ground set piece looked to have reduced arrears. A corner taken short up the right touchline saw the impressive Eaton curl a beauty over the back peddling Annets into the top corner, celebrations cut short by the assistant flagging for offside, though difficult to see who could be interfering with play from such a sublime finish!
It was probably the killer blow for United as the heat took its toll on both sides. The hosts were stretched and with 16 minutes to go, Moneyfields found space on the right, Simmonds cutting inside and curling a splendid fifth over Ayres. Jess Smith and Emma Hunt replaced Hollingsworth and Latto, but the visitors were still finishing strongest, Megan Fox and ‘Kun’ Taylor heading wide from corners, before Ayres pulled off a fine save from Wilson-Wilton. Jess Smith went closest to reducing arrears for United in the dying embers, her low shot saved at the near post by Annets. So, another learning experience for Torquay as they grow into their first National League season. And learn they will, and quickly.
Just like their season opening loss at Portishead, they weren’t totally outclassed, had spells when they looked in control and put together some good moves, creating goals. But there is still a certain naivety in all departments, which this talented bunch have yet to shake off in adapting to the step up. However, they have a quick chance to do so, as they head to Exeter City for the local derby tonight. Yellow Army if you can get to the Exwick Sports Hub to cheer on the ladies, they would love to see you and be grateful of your support. It’s a 7.45 kick off and the postcode for your satnavs is EX4 2BQ.
United: Emma Ayres, Rebecca McMullin, Ocean Latto (Jess Smith), Emma Hollingsworth (Emma Hunt), Jana Richards, Rachel Griffiths, Anthea Kaptein, Tracey Cross © (Rhi Bailey), Ella Stephens (Emily Eaton), Danni Wyatt (Chloe Kind), Esme Kilburn-Thompson
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