Cup journeys continue for Torquay Women and Youth

While this season’s FA Cup experience was a forgettable one for Torquay United’s men’s first team, it has been a lot more enjoyable ride for the women and youth departments at Plainmoor, both reaching the first round proper.

Torquay Women will host Bridgwater United on Sunday, November 3 after they battled to a 3-1 triumph over Royal Wootton Bassett.

The Gulls were in control throughout the first period but found themselves up against a determined visiting defence. The lock was finally picked seconds before the interval, Lucy Solloway thumping home an emphatic finish from Sam Burnham’s corner.

United emerged for the second period full of belief, twice testing the visiting custodian before another Burnham set-piece fell kindly for substitute Kate McKane to force the ball over the line.

McKane was also involved in the decisive third, robbing the ball from a Royal Wootton Bassett defender before delivering a pinpoint cross for Chloe Williams to make it 3-0. The visitors quickly replied with a consolation but the Gulls had done enough to progress.

In the FA Youth Cup, Torquay United have been drawn away to Eastleigh in the first round proper, earning their place in the hat with an impressive 4-2 win at Wimborne Town.

After a slow start, the Gulls took control on the south coast with pace out wide causing huge problems for the Wimborne defence, although the opener came from a classic set-piece, Stevie Martin’s towering header from a Gene Price corner far too powerful for the home ‘keeper.

To their credit, Wimborne responded well and drew level with a well-taken goal but United grabbed control of the game with two strikes before half-time, Jacob Wellington steering a lovely finish into the bottom corner before Andrew Ellis repeated the trick from the edge of the box.

A deflected strike within a minute of the restart gave Wimborne renewed hope and the second period was a slog for both teams, United staying strong and compact in defensive areas, and sealing the win in stoppage time, Ellis converting from close range after tremendous skill out wide from Price.