TOUGH TEST: Ocean Latto fends off Stacey John-Davies in Torquay’s pre-season friendly against Swansea City. © MiraclePR
Torquay United Women took on the best of Wales as Welsh Premier Women’s League champions Swansea City came to Stoke Gabriel FC for the first of the Gulls’ pre-season friendlies.
And in hot, sunny conditions the home side made a bright start, taking the game to the Swans and opening the scoring after just six minutes. New signing Bethany Everson sent in a low cross from the right which caused mayhem in the box. Strong home shouts for a penalty soon turned to cheers as Danni Wyatt finished at the far post.
The Swans thought they had got back on terms on 13 minutes but were thwarted by the linesman’s flag. Minutes later, a goalbound header from the lively Stacey John-Davies was kept out by Gulls ‘keeper Konnie Kleczkowski.
John-Davies was not to be denied though and when she broke clear of the Torquay defence, 27 minutes in, she levelled the game with a confident strike. With the home defence looking vulnerable and Swansea beginning to dominate the midfield, a second goal looked inevitable. But shortly after Emma Hunt was forced to clear off the goal line, Torquay fashioned a decent effort of their own, the Swans forced to scramble the ball to safety after their goalkeeper had dropped Cicely Downs’ free-kick.
Three minutes later, Swansea were in front. Katy Hosford, who scored in the 2018 Welsh Women’s Cup final in Swansea’s 2-1 victory over Cardiff City, finished low past Kleczkowski after an attack down the left.
Swansea started the second half on the front foot but Torquay almost found an equaliser on the hour mark. Daisy Self slipped the ball through to Jana Richards whose shot was saved. Richards had another chance four minutes later following a rare lapse in the Swansea defence but could only hit her shot wide.
A minute later, Hosford sealed the win, arriving at the far post in time to convert a low cross into the Torquay net. The Gulls almost pulled a goal back when Everson stretched the Swansea defence and pulled back to Sasha Mole whose dipping shot was not too far over the bar. Then Kleczkowski drew applause with a superb double save at the other end.
Torquay finished the game strongly and can be proud of a valiant performance against strong opponents.
“It was tough for both teams in this weather,” said Torquay manager Grant Fisher. “The heat was unbearable at times and they were a good, strong physical side. I think we made a good fist of it. They could have two more goals and we could have two more goals so I think the result was a fair reflection of the game.
“They head off to Cyprus in four weeks to play CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and I think they will be pleased with that test and the facilities that we offered them.
“It’s what we needed. We’ve got a new team with six new players in the squad so it was a brilliant first test for us and it sets us up nicely for the pre-season and season ahead. It gives us optimism that we’re going to compete at a good level.”
“Some pre-season games have been put in to test them and see where their level is against the real top quality sides,” Fisher continued. “Some have been put in so they can play at places that are tough to play at; some are against youthful sides so they can get a lot of running in and some have been put in – I’m not going to lie – to try and get us a win.
“It’s trying to get them as many eventualities and hard games to get them ready for the season because that’s where it all counts. We’re pretty settled now and we’re pretty close to the squad we are going to have for the season. We’ve got two signed players missing today and we are potentially looking at one more player to arrive and then we’re done.”
One performance which will have given the Gulls confidfence is that of Kleczkowski who pulled off several impressive saves throughout the game.
“She’s gone from forward to centre-half to goalkeeper and everyone could see today how much of an asset she is going to be. She will give us 15 points a season without a shadow of a doubt. When you have a goalkeeper like that it lifts the whole team. Her performance was incredible amongst a lot of others.”