Dramatic end to a new beginning for TUFC Women

A new era for Torquay United Women was given the perfect start with goals from Ella Stephens and Emily Eaton securing a superb a 2-1 win over Southampton Women in Division One SW.

It was a first game in charge for the new management duo of Jake Ellis and Tracey Cross, who will continue her playing duties alongside helping to manage the team, and the baptism could hardly have been more dramatic.

Stephens gave United a deserved lead with a fine free-kick midway through the first half and the Yellows held that advantage until half-time at Coach Road. Southampton fought back with an equaliser from the edge of the area and it was looking like a draw up until the dying seconds.

Substitute Eaton then emerged from the pack to score a thrilling stoppage-time winner and three massive points for United, who leapfrogged Southampton in the table and still have a big chance of pulling away from the bottom three.

The combination of Cross and Ellis was announced by Chairman Steve Elswood at the end of last week, and he told the club website: “I’m delighted to get both Jake and Tracey in a joint capacity, they both complement each other really well and I’ve been very impressed with their work and vision this week.”