More Late Heartbreak For United Women

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Torquay’s women surrendered two late goals, and with them, any likely control over their own fate in the National League relegation tussle, as Maidenhead ran out 3-2 winners on Easter Sunday. It was a doubly frustrating afternoon, given United squandered chances in an opening 45 they dominated, when they should have been out of sight by half time. Although United have added to their roster in recent weeks, they still only named three substitutes, though by and large it was a familiar starting eleven that set about Maidenhead from the opening whistle. Two forays down the Torquay right produced crosses from Katelyn McKane almost produced an opener in the first few minutes, Tracey Cross going closest with a tame header that was easy for Rosie Wilmott-Joyce in the Maidenhead goal.  Emily Eaton fired over inside the left edge of the area, McKane hit an Ocean Latto cross straight at the keeper, who also saved Rebecca McMullin’s 18-yard effort. The goal was coming… but it went the way of the visitors on 22 minutes, their only real attack of note in the first half.  Izzy Stockton broke down the right flank and her low cross was deflected past Emma Ayres by a United leg. United were shell-shocked for a few minutes but then picked up probing and testing the Maidenhead back line and drew level on 32 minutes.  Cross sent in an aerial ball from the left which a defender stabbed straight into the path of McKane, who slotted home from 10 yards. United were back in the groove.  McKane looped a dipping 12-yard effort just over from the right side of the box, then shot straight at Wilmott-Joyce from the edge of the penalty area.  Finally, Torquay found the half-time advantage they so richly deserved.  And what a strike it was!  Anthea Kaptein received the ball mid-way inside the visitor’s half and let the ball run across her body before thumping an absolute worldie from 25+ yards. It was the moment that probably should have galvanised United’s survival battle.  As would have been expected, Maidenhead re-grouped at the break though, and in reality, were the more fluent and committed side in the second half, even though United probably had the balance of shots on goal. Torquay had seemed to weather the initial second half up-temp from the visitors and grew back into the contest but needing to extend the 2-1 advantage to secure the points.  Both sides traded long-range efforts before the United barrage resumed.  Cross and McKane fired efforts at the keeper and Rachel Griffiths shot over the bar. Whether the plan was for United to defend the one-goal advantage, whether the legs tired is not certain, but Torquay started to drop deeper, and Maidenhead fired a warning sign with 15 minutes left when a cross/shot from the left, looped onto the top of the United crossbar. Cross made way for Jasmine Allen but having made their quota of changes earlier in the half, Maidenhead still looked full of running.  With six minutes left the visitors drew level, perhaps an element of luck, as Jade Hockney’s free kick from probably 40+ yards sailed over the head of everyone including Ayres, who could only help it on its way into the net. Whilst a point would not have been the end of the world, Torquay really needed all three.  What they could ill-afford was conceding a third.  But before they had time to regroup from the equaliser, probably Maidenhead’s best move of the afternoon brought their winner.  It was a flowing move from the left which eventually found the impressive Trinity Esprit unmarked on the right edge of the area, and she had time to control and drive the ball past Ayres to break United hearts. Danni Wyatt and Georgia Chapman replaced Eaton and McKane, but it was too little, too late for Torquay, who failed to muster another effort on goal in the final seconds or stoppage time. With Southampton and Portishead both losing, Torquay missed a chance to move out of the bottom two.  They remain 3 points behind both with similar goal difference to Southampton, but superior to the Bristol-based side.  Both of those sides have a game in hand on Torquay. United MUST beat Portishead at home on April 21st and will probably need something at high-flying Bournemouth in a fortnight, or against Swindon on the final day.  They have the spirit, but now must rely on some outside help too! Torquay United: Emma Ayres, Rachel Griffiths, Rachel Heron, Lucy Palmer, Ocean Latto, Ella Stephens, Emily Eaton (Georgia Chapman), Anthea Kaptein, Rebecca McMullin, Tracey Cross (Jasmine Allen), Katelyn McKane (Danni Wyatt)The post More Late Heartbreak For United Women first appeared on Torquay United.

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