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With their sole focus now on the league, Torquay United’s Women make the short trip up the M5 on Sunday to face Bishops Lydeard Ladies.
United’s blank weekend, last weekend, preceded by their frustrating FA Cup demise a week earlier, has given their title challengers time to move clear at the top of the able. And with an extra week of recovery time for those carrying knocks, Torquay should be up to the challenge of chasing down the teams above them, with those games in hand.
These sides last met in the same division two years ago with the Taunton-based side making life difficult for United on their road to the title. The pair shared a 3-3 draw at Cothelstone Road in the October, before goals from Ellie Bishop and Daisy Self earned United a 2-1 home win at Coach Road in January.
Last season Lydeard finished in the bottom two, avoiding relegation after the South West Regional reorganisation. And this season has been equally challenging with just two wins and seven points from their eight outings so far. But, both of those victories came on home turf, an opening day 3-0 against Frampton Rangers Ladies, and a 1-0 success over Poole Town Ladies at the end of October.
They’ve had some heavy defeats, most noticeably home and away against Forest Green Rovers Women in the last fortnight, conceding 12 times in the process. They’ve also lost 5-0 to Marine Academy Plymouth Ladies, and 3-1 at Sherborne Town Ladies. That said they put three past AFC Bournemouth in last month’s 5-3 FA Cup defeat, so United will need to be fully focussed on the task.
Holly Meakins has 4 goals to her credit, while Chloe Shipway has three, two for United’s back line to keep tabs on.
With Forest Green in County Cup action this weekend, Torquay would close the gap at the top with a win. The only other league game sees M.A.P with the chance to go top with a win over Ilminster Town Ladies.
If you can get to support the ladies this weekend, the postcode for Bishops Lydeard AFC at Cothelstone Road is TA4 3BA. Unfortunately, we are unable to bring you radio coverage this weekend, but will be back next Sunday from 1.45 pm at https://tufcwomen.mixlr.com For this weekend you can follow updates on our social media channels.