Torquay United Women confirmed their place in the Clickhub Devon Premier Cup final for only the second time in their history on Sunday, with a 4-0 victory at Liverton United Ladies.
United’s prolific strike force were once again in full swing, as goals from Ellie Bishop (2), Danni Wyatt and Beth Everson saw them ease through their semi-final tie.
With new signings Katie Barriball, Alex Sheppard and Esme Kilburn-Thompson unavailable for this competition and experienced midfielder Leah Brooks also missing through illness, manager Grant Fisher had to use the full depth of his squad, giving starts to Jana Richards and Laura Lewis, and moving Wyatt back into her more familiar centre-forward role.
Torquay started the game well on a very bobbly pitch, and created several half-chances in the opening quarter of the first half, as Wyatt and Bishop both went close. The breakthrough eventually came for The Gulls on 18 minutes, when a strong run down the right from Everson saw her cross turned in well via the left foot of Wyatt.
United’s second of the game came six minutes later, and again it was Everson on the right who did the damage, finding Payne on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s initial strike fortuitously found its way through to Bishop, who clinically finished from a central position 12 yards out.
The hosts did give Fisher’s side a rare scare near the end of the half, but a good save in the visiting goal from Konnie Kleczkowski kept Torquay two goals up at the break.
With the second half being halted a couple of times due to lengthy injuries, United found it hard to get any fluidity into their game, and it was Kleczkowski who was once again forced into action, making a fine low save down to her right midway through the second period.
Fisher acted by making a couple of changes to get the game back in Torquay’s favour, and the impact of those substitutes was instantly evident, as intensity levels rose.
The third goal wasn’t far away.
A good ball down the left found Bishop, with the winger’s direct run and low cross into the box finding Everson at the back post, who was left to apply the simplest of tap-ins from less than 6 yards, to make it 3-0 with ten minutes to play.
In full control, United’s place in the final was duly confirmed shortly after when Bishop ran onto a great through-ball by Wyatt and slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, just before the final whistle.
The impressive victory sets up a mouth-watering Final on April 22nd (19:15 KO) against Exeter City Women.
Fisher was full of his praise for his team following the final whistle.
“We fully deserved the win, and it is just reward for all the hard work the club has put in over the course of the season, on and off the pitch.
“Everyone knows that the last few years have been tough for us, so it’s great to see this fantastic club back in a cup final”
With the women back in league action this Sunday with another Devon derby at home to Marine Academy Plymouth (2pm KO at Stoke Gabriel FC), there will be enhanced coverage of this weekend’s clash – Further details will be announced later this week.