Torquay United Women claimed another victory on Sunday afternoon to maintain top spot in the South West Women’s Premier League thanks to a 3–1 win against Royal Wootton Bassett Ladies.
Tracey Cross, Beth Everson and Ellie Bishop scored the goals that ensured that the Gulls keep pace at the top of the league and stretches United’s unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions.
Manager Grant Fisher was again forced into a couple of changes due to unavailability and illness, however with an ever-increasing depth to his squad the changes did not alter the performance by this exciting group of players.
United had two early opportunities in the game from Esme Kilburn-Thompson and Everson before Ocean Latto’s corner in the 18th minute was only parried away by the hosts keeper and Cross was on hand to finish from close range into the bottom corner to give the gulls a deserved lead.
Five minutes later and Torquay where two up, when Kilburn-Thompson threaded a perfectly weighted through ball from the right for Everson to run onto, before the winger finished majestically past the keeper.
United continued to created opportunities in the first half and Cross almost got a second of the afternoon from 25 yards, however this time the home keeper was on hand to tip the ball over the bar.
Torquay started the second half well and killed the game off as a contest when Leah Brooks found top scorer Ellie Bishop inside the box and the lively winger looped the ball over the advancing keeper and into the back of the net for her 17th goal of the season.
Fishers side continued to push for more goals with Sasha Mole trying her luck from distance and the ever-dangerous Kilburn-Thompson going close on several occasions in the half.
However, having got their third of the game, United seemed to take their foot off the gas in the later stages of the half and were caught out when the home side scored a well worked consolation goal with three minutes remaining.
“This was another important win for us on the road and showed how far this group of players have come in a short period,” said Fisher.
Next up is another away trip, this time against third in the table Sherborne Town Ladies who are currently the only side to beat United in the league this season. “This will be a real test for the squad against another in form side who also boast the league’s top scorer in their ranks,” added Fisher.