United 1
(Kaptein 89′)
Forest Green Rovers 1
(Jones 45′)
A late equaliser from Tee Kaptein saved the day at The Rec, as United secured a hard-earned level in opposition to promotion rivals Forest Green Rovers.
Unsurprisingly, the primary 45 minutes was a closely-fought affair, and though Forest Green appeared the extra snug facet in possession, it was The Gulls who created one of the best of the few openings that had been created.
Beth Everson – on a Connie Pengelly cross – headed broad from a good place, earlier than Pengelly turned from supplier to poacher, after latching onto a Roxy Thomas ball ahead earlier than rounding the Rovers’ goalkeeper Smith, solely to see recovering defender McGrath give you an excellent clearance of the road to maintain the scoreline clean.
Just when it appeared just like the gamers would head to the tunnels level-pegging, the guests took the lead in controversial trend.
With solely seconds remaining within the first half remaining, a ball excessive noticed United keeper Esme Bradley dart out to say the ball forward of Rovers skipper Hattie Jones. However, regardless of fervent claims from The Gulls that Bradley had claimed possession with each arms, Jones emerged from a quick tussle with the ball, earlier than strolling it into an empty web.
0-1 on the change of ends.
Staring a primary league defeat of the season within the face, Ryan Perks’ Torquay facet took full cost of the territorial stakes, however had been unable to significantly hassle the away goalkeeper, due to a well-organised and hardworking FGR backline.
Half-chances got here and went, however simply when it appeared United had been condemned to defeat, a last-gasp leveller stored the future of the title in United’s arms.
A barely over-hit nook was picked up by Kaptein, however with everybody anticipating the ball to be recycled, the Gulls midfielder took intention and fired an excellent shot into the online to revive parity, and preserve Torquay’s unbeaten report intact.
How vital that aim may show to be stays to be seen.
UNITED: 1. Esme Bradley, 2. Lucy Palmer (c), 3. Roxy Thomas, 6. Matilda Franchi, 8. Kaitlyn Bell, 9. Beth Everson, 10. Connie Pengelly, 15. Georgie Knott, 16. Jess Geach, 20. Tee Kaptein, 29. Mollie Taylor.
SUBS: 12. Hillier-Nickels, 14. Jasmine Barker, 25. Hope Brinicombe, 26. Ella Pawley
