United look to stay on course in title race
For the second weekend running, South Devon College is the venue for Torquay United, as they look to follow up an impressive 5-1 win over Ilminster a week ago and keep their league title hopes on track against AEK Boco Ladies.
These two last met on the opening day of the South West Regional Women’s Premier League season, when United came from behind in Bristol to lead 3-2, before a late penalty for Boco, secured a point, in what is Torquay’s only draw of the campaign.
The status quo hasn’t changed for a while now. United know if they can win their remaining games, thy will lift the title and claim the one promotion spot back to the National League. The big games won’t come until May, when they’ll have to do it the hard way on the road at both leaders Marine Academy Plymouth Ladies, and Sherborne Ladies.
Before then they can afford no slip ups. Having dealt professionally with Frampton and Ilminster, they’ll need more of the same and a better disciplined display than in that opening day meeting. Boco, shouldn’t pose a threat, sitting seventh of the 11 sides in the division, with just five wins from their fifteen league outings this campaign.
The strength of their side may rest on how many of their dual registered Bristol Rovers players are available. Rovers have a County Cup match against Bristol City!
Either way, Lucy Atkinson leads their scorers with fifteen goals, just two behind our own Lucy Solloway. Generally, Boco’s victories have come against the teams below them and not those in the top four, but they ran Sherborne close, losing just 1-0 back in October, but they did beat Forest Green 2-0 at the start of December, so should not be underestimated.
Like many of the mid-table teams, they’re far enough ahead of the bottom two to avoid being dragged into a relegation fight, and they’ve too few remaining games to be able to reach the top. That said, they’re another team who could spoil United’s ambitions, if not treated with the upmost respect.
Once again, Sunday’s match at South Devon College kicks off at 2 pm, and if you can get across to Paignton, then your Yellow Army support really helps the ladies. But, if you have other things on, don’t forget that you can listen to live radio commentary at tufcwomen.mixlr.com, and we will be on air from 1.45 pm.
- Photo Credit: Daisy Mai Driver