Argyle Women lost their opening game of pre-season, 3-1 away to Moneyfields FC, but Head Coach Ryan Perks believes there were plenty of positives to take from the game. 

The home side went in a goal up, and then doubled their lead shortly after the break. Fern Orchard scored the only goal for the Greens. Running on to a ball down the line, she cut inside and found the net from a tight angle, nutmegging the opposition goalkeeper. 

Argyle, playing in a 3-5-2 formation, had several chances to equalise in a second half in which they were on top, but were caught by a late Moneyfields third goal to round off the scoring.  

Perks was positive after the full-time whistle and spoke about what the squad can work on as they head through pre-season. 

“Today highlighted some areas we need to work on as a team, but there’s lots of positives to take from it as well, of course,” he said. 

“With more time together, they’ll get a better understanding of how each other plays. We expect a strong performance next week and to continue building on the last game. 

“We tried out a shape we’ve not overly worked on in training, asked them to do certain things - and they did them. There were a few mistakes for the goals, but we probably also should’ve had a few more ourselves. 

"It was a good reaction from the girls straight after the second goal we conceded to get one back, but we got punished. 

"We have asked them to be quite expansive in possession, and with one bad pass you’re left open and vulnerable, so it’s an area we’ve got to get slightly better at." 

Three of last season’s under-16s squad have stepped up into the first team for this season and, alongside several trialists, Perks felt they integrated well at an early stage. 

“The young girls who have stepped up this season all did well and showed glimpses of what they’ll be able to offer,” said Ryan.  

“Our players and trialists also played well. Overall, there were some good individual performances. We’re still missing five key squad members, but the first two pre-season games aren’t about the results. It’s about looking at players and seeing what they can bring to the team.” 

Argyle’s second pre-season fixture is this Sunday, 14 July, against Cardiff City, at Cardiff International Sports Campus.