Argyle Women v MK Dons FC Women 30/04/23

THANKS TO OUR PLAYER SPONSORS

RYAN PERKS Managersnotes

Today is our final game of a long, hard season and we know destiny is still in our hands. A win today ensures we will be playing in this League next season and that was always our objective.

When we set out on the campaign ten months ago, we set ourselves the targets of a Devon Cup Final, reaching Round Two of the FA Cup and staying in this division. We have achieved two of those targets and now it is time to complete the third.

MK Dons have had a very good season and we know they are a good side, but we also believe in the quality within our

squad. The players have demonstrated talent and tenacity all season, and they deserve to achieve their final goal.

We would all like to thank our amazing supporters and everyone working behind the scenes to take Plymouth Argyle Women to the next stage in our development. Something very special is building at the club and we want to be part of the journey.

We are delighted to welcome the MK Dons staff, players and supporters to the Manadon Sports Hub today. Enjoy the game, Ryan

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.

THE OPPOSITION

MK DONS FC WOMEN

In their previous game before arriving in Devon, MK Dons Women looked set to achieve all three points until a late equaliser from Portsmouth saw to both sides sharing the spoils at Stadium MK.

Charlie Bill’s Women set out to remain within the top five of the FAWNL Southern Premier Division table as they welcomed fourth position Portsmouth to Milton Keynes.

Pompey, who boast the secondmost wins within the league (14) had a big task ahead of them, as a victory for the travelling team could have helped them in a late promotion push as we near the end of the season.

However, the penultimate fixture of the 2022/23 campaign at Stadium MK produced a result which favoured the Dons’ hopes of a topfive finish.

The first stage of the contest saw MK dons take the lead through top goal-scorer Mollie Coupar just seven minutes before the break.

Both sides looked to break down one another, but until minutes before the interval, it was Coupar who would destroy the deadlock at Stadium MK during the penultimate game of the season.

Kerry Newman used a throw-in granted to the Dons quickly in her efforts to catch the Portsmouth rearguard out of position. An effective ball in produced a great attacking chance for Charlie Bill’s Women, who after multiple attempts at the target, finally found the back of the net through their number 18. 1-0

With just one game remaining, Mollie Coupar had increased her goal tally to an outstanding 27 for the season. A late lead gifted by Coupar put the hosts in the driving seat as both teams entered the break.

The second 45 minutes of play almost replicated that of the first, an even battle between two sides, who pushed for their own individual desires as they neared the end of the current campaign.

However, the Dons’ resilient defensive display was dismantled within the dying moments of the fixture.

It seemed a stalemate was assured at the end of the second-half, but Pompey capitalised on the six minutes of injury time added onto the end of the clash, and equalised a minute following the fourth official’s signal of time added.

No matter the late heartbreak, MK Dons Women remained proud in their strong performance, which was enough to see them remain fifth within the FAWNL Southern Premier Division table.

ARGYLE WOMENS TEAM

ARGYLE WOMEN LOSE CUP FINAL ON PENALTIES

Argyle Women heartbreakingly lost a penalty shoot-out in the Clickhub Devon Women’s Premier Cup to Exeter City.

Exeter took an early second-half lead through a Jenna Markham header, but Rosie Train’s late equaliser took the game to spot-kicks. Unfortunately for the Pilgrims, it was Exeter who prevailed, winning the shoot-out 4-3.

The Grecians dominated the early stages, hitting the bar and having two major chances towards the end of the first half.

The second half saw Argyle get an early free-kick which they attempted to build play from, but Exeter had ideas of their own recovering possession and countering quickly. Sarah Stacey broke through the Argyle defence and crossed into the area to find Markham who headed home to give Exeter the lead.

Argyle manager Ryan Perks responded to City’s goal with a flurry of substitutions, bringing on Train and Amber Pollock for Zoe Cunningham and Georgia Wilson. With fresher legs on the field and time running out Argyle

began to take control of the game. Charlotte Whitmore came close to equalising after some good build-up play by the Greens, but the shot was dragged wide of the goal.

As Argyle's confidence grew, they finally got their chance to level the scoreline in the 88th minute.

A foul in the area on Pollock saw the referee blow for an Argyle penalty. Train charged towards the spot and thumped the ball high and right, beating Abbi Bond and giving the Greens a vital lifeline in the match.

With momentum on their side, Argyle continued to put the pressure on Exeter in added time.

Taya Pomfret was brought down in the area but as Argyle players shouted for another penalty the referee saw no harm and continued play before he blew for full-time.

Penalties followed but the shoot-out lottery sadly went against the Greens.

ARGYLE WOMEN FIXTURES FOR 2022/23 SEASON

SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION

ARGYLE WOMEN U23 FIXTURES

BILLERICAY TOWN 1

ARGYLE WOMEN 1

Billericay Town’s lastgasp equaliser dealt a blow to Argyle Women’s FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division survival hopes.

Che Thomas struck in injury-time to inflict a draw upon the Greens –their first of the season –and make the final week of the season even more tense.

Billericay were fast out of the blocks in the first half and five minutes into the match came close to taking the lead through a low shot that beat the diving Jasmine Read but was blocked by full-back Katie Dickson, who

cleared the danger off the line.

The close call made Argyle begin to settle and slowly take control of the match. Midfielder Georgia Wilson and forward Lily Greenslade had chances in front of goal, with Wilson's low shot in the area skimming the near post in the 18th minute.

Argyle took the lead from a free kick just outside the area, as halftime approached. The ball delivered into the area by Dickson found Greenslade who quickly reacted to the onrushing Baker, slotting it into the back of the net with the last kick of the half.

Billericay started the second half with intent as they looked to react to the late first-half goal. A cross into the area was laid off for a shot from range. The ball was struck well and thundered towards goal but failed to find the back of the net, blazing just over of the crossbar.

The chance spurred Argyle into life and they started to take the game to Billericay. Great periods of link-up play from the Argyle midfield once again proved difficult for Billericay to contain. Greenslade looked to double her tally in the 56th minute after a great run from Ireland

set the forward up with a chance on goal, but her shot was comfortably saved by Baker.

The Greens continued to pile on the pressure but were unable to convert the opportunities they created with Charlotte Whitmore coming close with two close-range efforts that keeper Baker palmed away.

Argyle would pay for not scoring a second, as Thomas was able to find space in the box in the 90th minute and slotted home Billericay’s equaliser past the onrushing Read.

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 MK DONS WOMEN