United Ladies return with defeat in feisty affair

Torquay United Women slipped to a 4-2 defeat at home to Abingdon in an eventful first game of 2024 for the ladies.

The visitors surged into an early lead but United replied with an equaliser on 11 minutes, when a free-kick from Ella Stephens was met by the head of Rachel Griffiths, with Ellie-Jayne Bishop possibly applying the final touch.

A 20-yard cracker from Megan Crawford restored the Abingdon lead and two more goals followed in quick succession to leave the Gulls 4-1 down at the interval. The game turned feisty after the restart and the visitors were reduced to ten players after a scuffle involving combatants from both sides.

An assured finish from Amy Salter reduced the arrears for United but there was no more joy in front of goal, despite the visitors going down to nine with a second red card.  

The next generation of Torquay United talent is shining brightly, as the U18s cruised past Fairford Town with a 4-0 victory in the Gary Else Memorial Trophy.

The young Gulls have won this competition for the past two seasons and this latest instalment in the scrapbook was never in doubt, as Jacob Wellington, Andrew Ellis, Will Brennan and Ethan O’Sullivan hit the net in Gloucestershire.

United are back to league duty this weekend and a stellar local derby against Yeovil Town at South Devon College.