United’s women produced another measured and entertaining performance at Plainmoor, to set up the prospect of securing the South West Regional Women’s Premier League title. They’re guaranteed at least second spot, but can take the crown, and promotion back to the National League, with victory at Sherborne Town next weekend.
In the absence of all of his first choice forwards, boss Lee Mann again had to juggle his personnel, but once again, he and the United coaching team, got the best from a number of players, in unrecognized positions. Mann also gave youngsters Lily Hilton and Jasmine Barker a full ninety minutes, and both excelled once again.
On a beautifully hot afternoon, United had to survive an early scare, before taking control of the encounter by half time. Using the big Plainmoor pitch to their advantage they moved the ball around neatly and found spaces to exploit the visitors. But Pucklechurch used their physicality well, and for the first twenty minutes, tested United with balls in behind the back line.
Their best chance came just shy of the quarter hour, Kimberley Maggs feeding Amy Jeffries in the Torquay area, but having done the hard work to turn a United defender, fired her effort off the outside of the post, when she seemed certain to score.
United responded, Natascha Bevan outstanding on the right wing, sending in a cross that Barker just failed to connect with. Anthea Kaptein almost gave United the lead as her curling effort from the edge of the area was fumbled by Ellie Soper in the Pucklechurch goal, and Adele Brown blasted a direct free kick way off target.
Eventually, United relaxed though, and the goals came. Bevan was again the provider, Kaptein able to take down a cross and calmly slot home on 32 minutes. Pucklechurch responded, testing Jasmin Read in United’s goal, who had to advance quickly to block another Jeffries effort wide.
Torquay though, had the bit between their teeth, and as Soper back-peddled from thwarting a United counterattack, Tracey Cross saw the keeper out of position, and lobbed her from 35+ yards, to double United’s advantage.
Goal number three came in first half stoppage time from the penalty spot. Barker, who gave Pucklechurch defenders a torrid time all afternoon, despite surviving some robust tackles, cut across the top corner of the visitors’ box and was felled by Melody Lewis. Up stepped Kaptein for her seventh penalty of the campaign, goal number sixteen on the season for her.
Danni Wyatt replaced the cautioned Bevan at the interval, and she and Barker ran Pucklechurch ragged, playing as a two upfront, supported by Kaptein and especially both full backs, Rebecca McMullin and Lucy Palmer. The latter forced a save from Soper before United added their fourth.
Cross won possession deep in Pucklechurch territory and fed Kaptein down the right edge of the area, Wyatt tapping home her pinpoint delivery. And it was Wyatt who added the fifth, Kaptein the ball winner this time, Cross setting McMullin away down the right and another perfect cross for Wyatt to nod home at the far post.
United’s sixth came in stoppage time, Barker rewarded for absorbing all of the harsh tackling that came her way, and her work rate throughout, played through by Adele Brown and racing on to slot home past the advancing Soper, with virtually the final kick of the game.
Momentum is firmly on United’s side as they head to Sherborne for the season finale. That’s now 11 unbeaten in the league (10 wins and a draw), six successive clean sheets. Surely the title is theirs to lose now, but performing the way they have in the second half of the season, they must now have the confidence to go and claim the title next Sunday.
Torquay United: 24. Jasmine Read, 2. Lucy Palmer, 3. Rebecca McMullin, 5. Lily Hilton, 6. Adele Brown, 7. Tracey Cross ©, 8. Charlie Pettinger, 10.Anthea Kaptein, 13. Jasmine Barker, 14. Kaitlyn Harris, 7. Natascha Bevan Substitutes: 1. Emma Ayres, 4. Alex Sheppard, 16. Lexie Watts, 23. Sasha Mole, 31. Danni Wyatt
After the match it was two of United’s goalscorers who gave their verdict on the game and the task ahead. You can watch the interview with Jasmine Barker and Danni Wyatt on our YouTube channel HERE.