Torquay United Women 1 Bridgwater Utd Women 0

FA Women’s National League Cup Group Stage

A disputed spot kick on 18 minutes was enough to send the Robins to a narrow defeat on Tuesday at the hands of Torquay Women, at Buckland Athletic FC, writes Kerry Miller

Just two days after their fine win over Maidenhead, the squad was rotated with just four starting both games and they were soon on the defensive as Torquay skipper Mollie Taylor clipped the bar with a shot from 15 yards.

Bridgy took some time to settle with some fine approach work ending without the final pass but Zoe Watkins was all action and Rosie Hill and Ella Pemberton showed up well early on. Then on 18 minutes Sarah Stacey went down in the box under a challenge from Katie Jones and referee Amith Videnage awarded the kick, which Stacey converted.

A Watkins cross shot was just wide in response while Pemberton caused some problems on the right but chances were scarce and Abi Carslake’s shot from distance and a Watkins volley either side of the half hour were the best efforts.

Stacey was close with a shot just after then an Ella Pawley volley almost doubled the lead but Bridgy went in a goal down and with work to do.

On the restart Taylor almost claimed the goal of the season with an audacious lob from 40 yards plus which dropped inches wide of Jasmine Read’s post and this seemed to wake the side up as Emison Evans turned sharply in the box but was just wide on the hour.

The bench was used soon after and Pemberton’s shot at the keeper then late on substitute Meg Jarvis’s lob flew just wide of Ellie Mitchell’s goal but it was not to be and Torquay claimed the win in what was a group stage match.

Squad: Jasmine Read, Libby Gimson, Abbie Carslake, Ellie-Mae Bell, Ella Pemberton, Gracie Owen, Katie Jones, Emison Evans, Rosie Hill, Gracie Binns, Zoe Watkins.

Subs: Keeley Banfield, Manfy Sharpe, Meg Jarvis, Phoebe Mullins, Beatriz Kretteis, Imogen Jones, Aimee Kingdon.

With two more games in the group, Bridgy can still go through and next entertain Plymouth Argyle Women on Sunday week at Middlezoy. Meanwhile the league campaign continues with a home clash with Ascot United this coming Sunday 30th August and the side will be hoping to cash in on the Berkshire side’s poor start where they have conceded 12 goals in the first two games. Kick off is at 2pm.