Argyle Women v Watford FC Women 02/04/23

DIGITAL PARTNER

THANKS TO OUR PLAYER SPONSORS

RYAN PERKS Managersnotes

Welcome to the Manadon Sports Hub for today’s game and thanks to everyone for the wonderful support we have received so far this season.

Watford are a good side with good pedigree, and that’s why they’re up at the top of the league. They have a strong infrastructure and budget at Watford, and a very well-run club, so we know the challenge that faces us today.

We lost 5-1 at their place earlier in the season, although there was a horrific decision in the first minute that led to a goal, and it was tough for us to recover from that. It killed the game-plan on the day but we had a few people missing, and certainly learned some lessons.

In the second half, we gave a good account of ourselves and we know the talent within our team can cause an upset today.

We know where we are as a club and we know we are progressing, on and off the field. There are four games to go this season and our main objective has always been to stay in the division. It is still in our own hands and still achievable.

Realistically, three more points will probably be enough to stay in the league. That’s not guaranteed but we know have to pick up something. We are a good side, we’ve done this before and we can do it again.

We are delighted to welcome the Watford staff, players and supporters to the Manadon Sports Hub today.

Enjoy the game, Ryan

THE OPPOSITION

Following the disappointment of relegation back to the FA Women’s National League, Watford have been enjoying a strong season with the end goal being to reclaim a place in the FA Women’s Championship for the 2023/24 season.

The Hornets have plenty of history in the second tier, having been victorious in a regionalised division in 2006/07, while finishing second in 2012/13. The latter was a big factor in Watford being one of the founding clubs of the inaugural WSL 2 (now the Championship) in 2014.

While the Golden Girls would struggle to replicate previous successes, there were still several positive moments. Most noticeably was the first ever game at Vicarage

Road (Aston Villa in 2015) – 1,102 turned up to that match, which was the second highest attendance in the league at the time.

With another shake-up of the women’s football pyramid taking place in 2018. Watford’s spell in WSL 2 came to an end when they were not granted a Championship license for the following season.

Watford will be hoping to bounce back from that disappointment and things are now looking far more positive with a new squad and new ground for the 2022/23 season. This new group currently led by Laura (General Manager) and Damon Lathrope (Head Coach), the staff and players will be looking to push the club back towards the Championship.

ARGYLE WOMENS TEAM

GILLINGHAM 2 ARGYLE WOMEN 0

Two first-half goals from Georgia Griffin were enough for Gillingham to inflict defeat on Argyle Women in Kent.

Griffin’s brace, with an early strike and a second just before the half-hour mark, gave the Gills motivation and confidence, and saw them through the encounter. Argyle came close to bouncing back on numerous occasions, but home goalkeeper Cara Davis kept the ball out of the net and helped her side to a clean sheet.

The game began with Gillingham putting

pressure on the Greens and taking an early lead through forward Griffin. Motivated by their positive start, the Gills continued to stretch the Argyle defence further, forcing Argyle keeper Jasmine Read into numerous saves.

Argyle had glimpses of brilliance in the middle stages. A clever pass from Charlotte Whitmore gave Lily Greenslade the opportunity to break through in the 26th minute, but the Gills defence cleared the danger.

Seconds after Greenslade’s chance, Griffin extended the home

side’s lead after a pinpoint cross found her run at the far post.

The second half saw the Greens begin to apply pressure, with Whitmore and skipper Zoe Cunningham having chances which Davis denied.

Greenslade was sin-binned following a collision in the penalty area with a Gillingham defender.

Gaffer Ryan Perks attempted to turn the tide by bringing on Imy Crawford, Amber Pollock and Tiana Campbell towards the end of

the second half. The substitutes contributed to Argyle’s most dominant period of the game, but a goal would not come.

Argyle’s final major chance of the match came from Georgia Wilson who received the ball in open space just inside the area and blasted the ball goalwards. The ball flew towards the top left-hand corner of the goal but ‘keeper Davis was quick to react, tipping the well-struck shot over the bar before the referee blew for full-time.

ARGYLE WOMEN FIXTURES FOR 2022/23 SEASON

SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION

ARGYLE WOMEN U23 FIXTURES

SEPTEMBER

Sun 4 - AFC Bournemouth Development L 0-1

Sun 25 - Hashtag United Reserves (H) Cup W 2-1

OCTOBER

Sun 16 - Hunters District (H) - Cup W36-0

Sun 23 - Portsmouth Development (A) L 1-2

Sun 30 - Exeter City Reserves (A)

NOVEMBER

Sun 13 - Exeter City Reserves (A)

1-1

2-2

Dons (H)

Sun 20 - Plympton (H) - Cup

2-2 (won 3-2 on pens)

Sun 27 - Swindon Town Development (H) D 3-3

DECEMBER

Sun 4 - Oxford United Development (A) - Cup L 0-11

Sun 12 – Bridgwater United Reserves (H) L 0-2

JANUARY

Sun 22 – Swindon Town Development (A)

Sun 29 - AFC Bournemouth Development (H) L2-4

FEBRUARY

Sun 5 – Bridgwater United Reserves (A) D 0-0

Sun 19 – Southampton Women Reserves (H) L 0-3

Sun 26 – Southampton Women Reserves (A) W 4-3

MARCH

Sun 5 – Portsmouth Development (H) L 0-3

Sun 12 – Keynsham Town Reserves (H) W 1-0

Sun 19 – Swindon Town Development (A) D 3-3

APRIL

Sun 9 – Keynsham Town Reserves (A)

Sun 16 – Swindon Town Development (A)

Sun 23 – Exeter City Reserves (H)

Sun 30 – Keynsham Town Reserves (A)

OXFORD UNITED 2 ARGYLE WOMEN 0

Two headed goals, both from set pieces, were enough to give promotion-seeking Oxford United a victory as Argyle Women were unable to gain any points on the road.

Tash Stephens gave the U’s the lead from a corner on 35 minutes, with Amy Goddard doubling the advantage in first-half stoppage time, nodding in a free-kick.

Argyle responded with a second half spent on the front foot, but Oxford contained their visitors, and saw out the victory.

Despite Argyle keeping the home side on their toes with numerous counterattacks spearheaded by the attacking trio of Lily Greenslade,

Charlotte Whitmore and the returning Rosie McDonnell. chances on goal were limited, with free-kicks and shots from range being the only major dangers for ‘keeper Rose Kite.

Oxford got the first major chance of the first half in the 19th minute. A cross from a free-kick flew towards the far post, finding an Oxford foot. The shot rattled off the underside of the crossbar and away from danger.

After this incredibly close call, Argyle attempted to regain control of the game. Whitmore and Wilson had half-chances, but Kite continued to react well, rushing off her line to meet any ball through the defensive line.

Oxford's first goal came in the 35th minute from a corner kick. The ball delivered to the far post found Stephens lying in wait for a straightforward header. Just over ten minutes later, a free-kick awarded wide of the penalty area found the head of towering defender Goddard, who headed home the U’s second just before the half ended.

The second half saw Ryan Perks’ side begin to take control in the early stages. Argyle’s attempts to break down Oxford became more dynamic, and Perks used all five substitutes before the 70th minute to vary the attacking approach.

The Greens’ fightback fizzled, though, and Oxford began to regain control of the game. Chances crossed into the area became a persistent threat in the middle stages of the second half, although the shots either flew wide of the target or met the palms of the diving Jasmine Read.

The pendulum swung back in the final stages of the half, which were largely dominated by Argyle who attempted to fashion out chances from open play whenever they could. It was a professional defensive performance by Oxford, though, always keeping Argyle at arms’ length.

MATCH ACTION EXTRA

U23 SQUAD SPONSORS

Maddi Curno (GK)

(Sponsor: Darren Swift)

Bethan Cowd

(Sponsor: Available for sponsorship)

Sophia Sharpe

(Sponsor: Available for sponsorship)

Robyn Hearn

(Sponsor: Available for sponsorship)

Izzy Baskett

(Sponsor: Available for sponsorship)

Izzy Baker

(Sponsor: Elliot Jarvis Cars)

Grace Perrins

(Sponsor: Limegreen Communications)

Katelyn Bell

(Sponsor: Available for sponsorship)

Katelyn Berry

(Sponsor: Available for sponsorship)

Taylor Ford (Sponsor: Total Produce)

Emily Elliot (Sponsor: The Great British Confectionary Company)

Fern Orchard

(Sponsor: Plymouth Marine Electronics Ltd)

Courtney Staughton

(Sponsor: Mark Staughton)

Kristyna Cade

(Sponsor: Available for sponsorship)

Scarlett McMahon

(Sponsor: PasotiMods)

Rose Mason-White

(Sponsor: Nano Interactive)

Match Officials

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE WOMEN

WATFORD FC WOMEN