rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Sept 2, 2024 20:54:56 GMT
Much later start in this division coupled with no fixture on the opening day of the season on 1 September has meant quite a delay for the team to finally get going. I think preseason has gone well with a decent size squad recruited with a number of familiar faces returning to the side with the focus on winning the league. I see MAP (Marine Academy Plymouth) started off with a 7-0 win against Pucklechurch and Forest Green with a 1-5 away win at Ilminster so they could be our main rivals this term but we shall see….
As for our opponents, new one for me but they are a South East Bristol team and think they are newly promoted into the division so unknown quantity and on their home turf so will be difficult.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Sept 7, 2024 11:38:58 GMT
linkTorquay United’s women kick off their 2024-25 season on the road in Bristol on Sunday, as they travel to play AEK Boco Ladies. Boco are new to the South West Regional Women’s Premier League this season, having been promoted from the Northern Division as champions in the spring. They saw off Weston-super-Mare AFC Women by eight points in the end, losing just one, and drawing two of their 18 games, finishing with a +43 goal difference. That was largely down to the prolific goalscoring of Aimee Clark (25) and Lucy Atkinson (22). They also reached the semi-final of the Divisional Cup, where Ilminster narrowly beat them. But after an 8-0 FA Cup win over Dursley, they were beaten in the third qualifying round by Helston Athletic. Like United, AEK Boco had a blank opening week on the fixture calendar, so they too will be raring to go, and to get three points on the board to start their campaign. After conceding on average only once per game last season, Torquay can expect their hosts to be well-drilled and difficult to break down. If you can make the trip up the M5 to add your support, Sunday’s kick-off is at 2pm at Greenbank Road, Hanham, Bristol, BS15 3RZ. If not, you can hear live radio commentary on the whole match, with build-up from 1.45 pm at tufcwomen.mixlr.com
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Sept 8, 2024 8:03:31 GMT
link - bit of information about the ground, nearby facilities and the history of the club by Wycombe Wanderer that may be of interest particularly if you are going up today.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Sept 8, 2024 18:18:08 GMT
An enjoyable day out at a new ground to see a new team play, in fact both the opposition and our own team as we only lined up with two players from last year, Tracey Cross our captain and fellow midfielder Tee Kaptein. On a significant sloping pitch, we started uphill but dominated possession throughout the first half limiting Boco to just two chances, both on the counter attack with through balls to their impressive blonde striker who was able to get clear and finish with aplomb on both occasions.
However, we were able to strike back on both occasions, first with a good cross across the 6 yard box for our new striker Lucy Solloway to bundle the ball home. Then from a corner where Tracey Cross was able to direct a header perfectly inside the post to equalize for the second time. We also hit the top of the bar from a free kick and with many other opportunities could or should have had the lead. So half time, 2-2 with the downhill slope advantage and thought we would go on to win but despite all our pressure were not able to make their keeper work particularly hard although we did hit the post after a set piece cross but it wasn’t until about 10 minutes from the end that some good work from Lucy in the area saw her able to slot the ball past their keeper for what look liked the winner. Inexplicably, a few minutes before the end, we gave away a penalty, it looked like from the other side of the pitch, an off the ball incident which the Lino flagged for with the resulting penalty being put away comfortably. The home team then slowed things down being grateful for the point and we did not get any meaningful opportunity to score again.
Disappointing to only come away with a draw, but like the men, a new side, still looking to gel together, and with majority of the possession and chances, things do bode well. Missed a couple of key players today but a number of players shone and we do seem to have a natural goal scorer in Lucy and if she can work on her header accuracy then will be a complete player at this level. Thinking back to our last season in this division, we lost away on the opening day and then remained unbeaten for the rest of the season to take the title on the last day by a point from Bristol Rovers, so early days yet and with an expanded division it is an even longer road to the end of the season.
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