Torquay United served up another good performance and were settled by a couple of early goals at Pucklechurch Sports Ladies, as they secured another important three points in the South West Regional Women’s Premier League.
Alex Sheppard and Tee Kaptein were available again for United, and boss Lee Mann included them in the starting eleven, as he once again had the luxury of revolving his squad.
Pucklechurch are the division’s draw specialists, having earned a point in five of their eight starts so far, but Torquay were in no mood to settle for a point and were ahead with just nine minutes on the watch.
It was a team goal, with great build up allowing Lucy Solloway to finish, with her thirteenth of the season. In the early part of the season, Solloway and Kaptein were neck and neck for goals, and while Solloway has pulled ahead in the scoring stats, United’s number 10 is keeping the striker on her toes. And it was Kaptein who put United in complete control, doubling the visitors’ lead just four minutes later.
Chloe Williams added Torquay’s third with a great finish on her weaker foot before the interval, and when Ellie Bishop added United’s fourth, eleven minutes into the second half, the points were secure. Torquay still can’t get to keeping clean sheets though, and the hosts pulled one back before Lucy Palmer scored United’s stoppage time fifth.
So back-to-back 5-1 wins auger well for United, who visit Poole Town next week, as their February on the road continues. Sasha Mole’s appearance from the bench, her first fifteen competitive minutes since that horrendous knee injury 22 months ago was another huge bonus, adding more strength and depth to United’s squad for their hectic 2025 programme.
Torquay United: 1. Jas Read, 2. Lucy Palmer, 3. Bex McMullin, 4. Alex Sheppard, 6. Adele Brown, 7. Tracey Cross, 9. Lucy Solloway, 10. Tee Kaptein, 11. Chloe Williams, 14. Kaitlyn Harris, 17. Natascha Bevan Substitutes: Sasha Mole, Ellie Bishop, Emily Elliott, Lily Hilton
Player Of The Match: To be confirmed