Argyle Women secured a place in the Devon Women’s Premier Cup final after an emphatic performance in front of goal at Manadon Sports Hub, against Budleigh Salterton.
The Greens started the game off strongly, scoring eight goals before the first half and recording two hat-tricks in the process. Argyle continued their dominance into the second half, securing seven more goals before the referee blew for full time.
Argyle's first goal came two minutes into the first half thanks to Charlotte Whitmore, who hit a well-struck shot across the keeper that flew into the top corner, before Jemma Rose’s penalty eight minutes later made it two.
Whitmore rounded out her hat trick by the 35th minute, grabbing goals either side of an effort by skipper Imy Crawford.
The half’s final goals came from Beth Ireland who scored a remarkable hat-trick of her own within five minutes before the referee blew for half-time.
With an eight-goal lead and all the momentum in his team’s favour, gaffer Ryan Perks opted to make all four subs before the second half started. A decision that aligned with comments he had previously made earlier this week regarding keeping match fitness levels at their highest.
Tiana Campbell, Georgia Wilson and goalscorers Crawford and Ireland made way for Rosie Train, Zoe Cunningham, Kayley Lane and Amber Pollock as the second half began. Whitmore went the extra mile and grabbed her fourth goal of the match seconds into the half thanks to an excellent run down the wing from Lane, who placed the ball into the feet of the clinical number seven.
Much like the first half, the goals continued to come thick and fast for Argyle. Substitute Pollock scored twice in the middle stages of the half after a period of close-range efforts were blocked by the Budleigh keeper.
Following an own goal, Pollock grabbed her hat-trick goal thanks to some clever footwork and a pinpoint finish that squeezed past the keeper.
Argyle’s final goals came from Lane and Pollock who both comfortably finished their chances within the penalty area. Lane scored Argyle's 14th goal in the 70th minute, whilst Pollock's fourth and final goal of the game came in the 89th minute.
Argyle will take on local rivals Exeter City Women in the final for the chance of claiming their first piece of silverware this season.
Argyle: 1 Jasmine Read, 22 Anna Barnes, 14 Sam Cox, 6 Lucy Hack, 17 Tiana Campbell (3 Rosie Train), 4 Jemma Rose,16 Georgia Wilson (10 Zoe Cunningham), 18 Imy Crawford (8 Kayley Lane), 13 Katie Dickson, 20 Beth Ireland (11 Amber Pollock), 7 Charlotte Whitmore.
Photo Credit: QuinnKJPhotography
