Torquay United head to Gloucestershire this weekend, as they look to keep their title challenge on track, and in their own hands, as they visit Frampton Rangers Ladies in the South West Regional Women’s Premier League.
Having lost their trip to Sherborne to the weather last weekend, they face the prospect of playing the other sides in the top three, as their last three fixtures of the season. And while that could lead to a very exciting season climax, there’s a lot of hard work to be done before then, against sides outside of the top four.
That includes this weekend’s travels to Frampton Rangers Ladies, a team that started the 24/25 campaign poorly but have strengthened and are now providing a tough test for everyone, as Forest Green Rovers Women will testify, having edged their match 3-2 last week.
Frampton lost four of their first five including the 7-0 reverse against United in the home game back in the first month of the season. Since then, they’ve won six, only really losing to the top four sides, but winning a crazy encounter at Sherborne Town Ladies by seven goals to four!
So, it may depend on which Frampton side turns up. But as last weekend’s encounter with Forest Green suggests, this is unlikely to be a similar rampage to the one United enjoyed at home. Shannon Francis’ goal in that defeat takes her level with Torquay’s Lucy Solloway at the top of the league scoring charts. But behind her, Molly Bourne has five, suggesting IF United can keep Francis quiet, then they might enjoy their afternoon.
To do that, defensively they’ll need to be tight and not gift opportunities as they did in the County Cup defeat in Plymouth a fortnight ago. And all around their game will need to be better than that performance, to bring back the three points to Devon.
United are on a 3-game winning streak in the league though. 5-1 wins on the road at St Austell and Pucklechurch were followed up by the 12-09 demolition at Poole Town Ladies, so if they can pick up that momentum once more they can keep pressure on the two sides above them, who, incidentally, play each other this weekend as well!
Sunday’s match at Oaklands Park, Almondsbury kicks off at the later-than-usual time of 3.15pm. If you’re travelling the ground postcode is BS32 4AG. As always, your support of the ladies is appreciated if you can make the trip. But, if you can’t get there, then live radio commentary is online at tufcwomen.mixlr.com and we will be on air from 3 pm.