Steve Elswood’s team finish as title winners and are promoted to the National League, after a 1-0 win over Royal Wootton Bassett on Sunday.
Torquay United’s Women are heading to the National League, courtesy of a narrow but comfortable victory over Royal Wootton Bassett Ladies. The one-nil win at Liverton, in front of a sizeable crowd, secured the South West Regional Premier title, by a point from Bristol Rovers. Emma Hunt’s worldie on the stroke of half time proved the difference against a determined and resolute Basset rearguard.
United made three changes to the side who had performed so heroically at Lyskeard a fortnight earlier. Tee Kaptein, returning from a facial injury, started up front for the suspended Connie Pengelley. Nat Warman and Mia Preston were restored on either side of midfield, with Bec McMullin again switching to the right back role, for the injured Sasha Mole. Danni Wyatt dropped to the bench, while Daisy Self was also amongst the substitutes on her return from injury.
The hosts were in charge from the first whistle, Esme Kilburn-Thompson directing an early effort over the angle. United created chance after chance but could neither find the final ball, nor the killer shot to take an early advantage. Kaptein and Warman swapped roles, the latter finding space to exploit on the left, but whenever she or Kilburn-Thompson were in range, their efforts were either smothered by Bassett’s central defensive pair of Laura Jeffries and Neve Johnson, or thwarted by the legs and feet of goalkeeper, Millie Powell. Emma Hunt couldn’t direct an Ocean Latto corner goalwards with her head, while Tracey Cross headed wide after a fabulous build up down the right, Jana Richards original ball finding Preston in space on the right to set up the cross. And having had a sighter at goal, Cross went close again, her 18-yard effort denied by Powell, the keeper acrobatically flinging herself to her left to brilliantly turn the ball round the post.
United’s endeavours looked to have been frustrated as the game entered first half stoppage time. Hunt though had other ideas, striding forward from her own half into Bassett territory before unleashing a 35-yard effort which looped and dropped beautifully over the retreating Powell and into the net. And moments later, Self, on after 30 minutes for Rhi Bailey, should have made it two-nil. Played in by Kilburn Thompson, she left the ball behind her, 8 yards out, with the goal at her mercy. Such was United’s first half dominance, that goalkeeper Emma Ayres first touch with her hands was to receive a Bassett through-ball, as the referee blew for half time.
It was a pattern continued pretty much in the second 45, though United committed Latto and McMullin forward less and less as they worked for the cushion of a second goal. Preston thought she’d provided it, dragging a shot from the edge of the area across the stranded Powell, only to see her effort come back off the inside of the post and away to safety. Wyatt and Laura Lewis were introduced for Preston and Warman, and Lewis was unlucky not to hit the target when she ghosted in behind Wyatt and defender Johnson but scooped her shot over the angle. McMullin also went close in the closing stages after good build up play from Cross and Self. For their part Bassett committed three, then four up front in a bid to deny United the three points. But save for a couple of nervy moments for the fans, as the visitors won their first corner with the clock ticking towards 90 minutes, Steve Elswood’s side were never going to be denied the title that they so richly deserve. Cue the final whistle, joyous celebrations, hugs from family members, and rapturous applause from the fans who had travelled to Liverton, followed by the trophy presentation to skipper Jana Richards. “We’re going up” chanted the ladies amidst popping champagne corks. Indeed, they are… with the likes of Swindon, Southampton and Bournemouth amongst next season’s opposition, alongside either Cardiff or Exeter, whichever should fail to gain promotion.
Congratulations ladies on a season and a job well done – enjoy your summer, you deserve it!
Torquay United: Emma Ayres, Ocean Latto, Emma Hunt, Jana Richards, Bec McMullin, Rhi Bailey (Daisy Self), Tracey Cross, Nat Warman (Danni Wyatt), Mia Preston (Laura Lewis), Tee Kaptain, Esme Kilburn-Thompson Substitutes Not Used: Scarlett Willams, Emily Burt
Steve Elswood was obviously delighted at clinching the title and shared, his thoughts after the match at what an incredible season it had been for his team:
” It’s been and incredible year, and since the Cup win twelve months ago the girls have gone from strength to strength, and seventeen games unbeaten has won this title and that takes some doing, and we also had the best defence in the league as they are so hard and tough to beat, so they deserve this and we have waited 14 years to win this. I think we were in control of the game today and i think the stats will also show you that, but full credit to Royal Wootton Bassett as they banked it up and did everything they could to make it difficult for us which we expected, but we know the heart of these women and that saw us over the line.”
” Losing just one game all season takes guts, it takes pride, passion & togetherness, and we are so close as a group and a unit and that shows out on the pitch and i couldn’t be prouder of them all and it has been an incredible journey. Next season there will be some challenges for sure, but that’s what you do this for to be tested against the best and now we go to the National League and we will be tested against the best, and we are ready for it, will plan over the summer and go from there.”
TUWFC Captain Danni Wyatt added her own tribute to the team she leads after the final game and looked ahead to next season:
” I can’t believe it and i’m still in shock, but we just turned it around and turned it on it’s head after that first game of the season, as it knocked us and we were saying why did we do that and why did we go through pre-season for that to then happen, but i think it shows what we have achieved now as that was the beginning and this is the end. One thing about this team is that they dig deep, and it’s the deepest i’ve ever seen a Torquay United Women’s team dig, and i’ve been here since i was 18 years old and this is the best Torquay United squad i could ever have imagined, and it just makes me so proud. Am looking forward to next season and been dreaming of it for a few years, but we will be ready for the National League when it comes around.”