Argyle 0
Portsmouth 3
Quirk 21, Scott 56, Humphrey 90+2
Argyle Women bowed out of the FA Women’s National League Cup at the quarter-final stage after losing at home to Portsmouth.
A first-half goal for Sophie Quirk gave Pompey the lead, with Tierney Scott doubling the advantage after the break. Ella Humphrey’s injury-time goal sealed the visitors’ victory.
The match began positively for Argyle with Lily Greenslade and Amber Pollock putting pressure on the Portsmouth defence. Four minutes into the half, though, Argyle goalkeeper Jasmine Read was tested on her line, blocking a close-range effort.
Argyle responded through Zoe Cunningham and Katie Dickson, both attempting to play passes from deep over the defensive line, but Portsmouth’s defence kept the ball clear of danger.
The seeds of Argyle’s fate were sown when Quirk’s long-range shot midway through the first half found the net to set the ball rolling. The ball was struck well and flew just out of Read’s reach.
Although a goal down, Argyle continued to fight for their first goal of the match. Pollock generated several chances down the right-hand side of the pitch, and although she got into dangerous areas on numerous occasions, the shots were not enough to beat Pompey’s keeper Hannah Haughton, despite one occasion where Haughton seemed to present Pollock with a chance, only to recover.
The second half saw Argyle continue to fight for an equaliser, but it was Portsmouth who took their opportunity to extend the lead 10 minutes into the half. A low ball across the penalty area that found Scott at the back post was all the visitors needed to claim their second goal of the match.
Pompey continued to push Argyle following the goal, having two incredibly close chances in front of goal. Portsmouth’s Scott lead both of these chances in the middle stages of the second half. A chipped shot over the onrushing Read almost made it three to the visitors, had it not gone wide past the far post, before a similar chance saw Read make another last-gasp save, with defender Rosie Train clearing the initial save from danger.
Argyle persevered, with substitute Tiana Campbell making several runs down the wing, one of which getting turned goalwards by Charlotte Whitmore, but the shot was saved.
Portsmouth sealed matters in the 92nd minute of the match, moments before the referee's final whistle. A close-range effort from Humphrey secured the visitors their advancement into the semi-final of the FAWNL Cup.
After a prolonged period in cup football, Argyle return to league action when they travel to London Bees on Sunday, 5th February.
Argyle: 1 Jasmine Read, 3 Rosie Train, 5 Panagiota Papaioannou, 23 Rosie McDonnell, 13 Katie Dickson, 20 Beth Ireland, 18 Imy Crawford, 16 Georgia Wilson, 10 Zoe Cunningham (capt), 11 Amber Pollock (7 Charlotte Whitmore), 27 Lily Greenslade (17 Tiana Campbell).
