Plymouth Argyle Women v Gwalia United

Argyle return to FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division action on Sunday when Gwalia United visit Home Park.

Two victorious, exciting performances against Billericay Town, in the FAWNL Cup, and Poole Town, in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, have placed Ryan Perks' side in good stead, and he continues his belief that results in the league will soon come.

The Greens’ Head Coach believes that a difficult start to the league campaign can be turned on its head, but only through continued hard work and understanding of what needs to be done in November.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into league action,” Perks told Argyle TV. “I think it's really important that in these next two games, against Gwalia and Cheltenham Town, we get some positive results, especially with both being at home. We've had a difficult start at Home Park this season, so we want to put on a positive display and get three points for the fans who come along and watch.

“I think the girls have been confident, even though the results haven't been going our way in games. Our performance levels have been pretty good for most of the season. We’ve had a couple of dips in performances and that's probably even been in cup competitions - and we've won those games. We’re going in with confidence on the back of two positive results and we need that momentum to continue into the league.

“I think they’ve just got to do the basics right: outwork Gwalia, compete, and win first and second balls. That's going to be essential in both games. They're both tough oppositions. They work hard without the ball, so we've got to match that energy and then play the football we want to play.

“We've set the girls a target and want to win both games. I think it's vital for the season and, again, to build momentum and keep going. This is the time of year we normally kick into gear and start picking up results. Hopefully, that can continue, and we can get the three points on Sunday.”

Squad rotation was a feature ahead of Sunday's game against Poole, with Perks making five changes to the starting line-up from the previous game. Luckily for the Greens, an almost full squad is available for the important league tie, including Ellie Sara returning from an illness.

He said: “Ellie's back in training, so she'll be back in the squad this weekend. Amii's [Kearley] back as well, so she’ll be back amongst it. The only player not available is Grace [Smith] and she's getting there slowly.

“It's going to be difficult. We're going to have to leave players out of the squad again and some players have done themselves justice in the game last weekend. Fern [Orchard] came on, scored two and had a positive impact. She's banging on the door to get in the starting 11.

“We did rotate the team last week, but we also relied on making some changes at important times. For example, Ella [Stephens] coming off the bench had a positive impact and she will be back in the starting 11.

“She's been a breath of fresh air, a great signing and a little hidden gem to be fair. We’ll pick the team we feel is best to get the three points on Sunday.”

A key feature of Home Park games is the continuous support the Green Army gives. Perks sends a thank you message for the help at home games this season, but also to get behind the girls against Gwalia United.

“We need them to be that 12th player,” Perks said. “Get behind the girls and cheer us because we need it. We want the three points just as much as they want them, so Green Army, be as loud as you can and just carry us over the line. We appreciate all the support, no matter where we are.”

Argyle Women produced a remarkable second-half comeback to win by the odd goal in seven against Gwalia United at Home Park.

The Greens fell a goal down early on to a Cori Williams-Mills goal, and although Ellie Sara equalised, the South Walians led by half-time, thanks to Ellie Sargent.

Shortly after the restart, Williams-Mills struck again, and the mountain Argyle needed to scale looked even steeper. However, they soon started the climb.

Sara’s second softened the incline on 56 minutes, but it took until 81 was on the clock before Charlotte Whitmore found the net to level matters. Only two minutes later, Sara pounced, grabbing her hat-trick and putting the Pilgrims in front. It was a lead they held onto, despite late Gwalia pressure.

Argyle came into the game on the back of two consecutive cup wins – against Billericay Town in the FAWNL Cup, and against Poole Town in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup – but were seeking to claim precious league points.

After a quiet start to the game, those hopes took a dent when Williams-Mills capitalised on a ball that was not cleared from Argyle’s box. In fairness to the Gwalia player, she took the ball down well, and was very calm in sidestepping past a defender and striking home.

Sara’s equaliser, on the half-hour mark, was beautifully worked. The Greens sent Ella Stephens away on the right wing, and she skipped past one defender as she arched towards the penalty area. Sara’s run was well-timed, as was the ball that found her. Sara slotted, and the Pilgrims had parity.

Not for long, though. Elena Cole threaded a past for Sargent to run on to, and she earned her stripes as she shot low into the net.

Lily Felgate made a smart stop to deny Sargent before the break, and soon after the interval Gwalia scored again, with Williams-Mills getting her second. The Gwalia attacker, who had already found the net, had her radar working ahead, holding off a marker and finishing well.

Argyle, though, were not finished. Sara saw blood in the water when a defender slipped, and after latching onto the loose ball, Sara struck from an inside-right position and found the net at the Babcock Devonport End. Game on.

Argyle went hunting for their equaliser, but it looked like their impetus may fade, as the Welsh side fought hard and occasionally looked to hit on the counter, with Sargent pulling an effort narrowly wide.

At the other end, Argyle were very unlucky several times as nice moves ended just one pass away from what would have hopefully been the final recipient. Persistence, though, in the end, paid off.

Whitmore, by now switched to playing through the centre after some tactical substitutions, used her speed and ball control to get beyond the visitors’ defence and confidently finish to make it 3-3. Barely anyone inside Home Park had a chance to draw breath before the winner arrived.

It was Sara again, the beneficially of excellent tenacity from Georgia Wilson, scrapping for the ball in the opposition penalty area, and getting to Sara, who shot on target. Away keeper Laura O’Sullivan-Jones got a hand to it, but the ball, rather theatrically, trickled over the line.

Cue rapturous celebrations, bettered only by those that followed about ten minutes later, when the final whistle blew.

Three wins in a row, in three competitions, for the Pilgrims, who meet Cheltenham Town at Saltash’s Kimberley Stadium, on Sunday, 17 November.

Argyle: 1 Lily Felgate, 2 Katie Dickson, 4 Amii Kearley, 6 Taya Pomfret, 7 Charlotte Whitmore, 9 Ellie Sara (19 Erin O’Shea 86), 10 Georgia Wilson (16 Georgie Knott, 86), 16 Ella Stephens (8 Imy Crawford 54), 17 Lulu Jarvis (20 Frn Orchard, 75), 24 Ava Kuyken, 26 Caitlin Smith (capt). Substitutes: 56 Comfort Erhabor (gk), 3 Roxy Thomas, 5 Giota Papaioannou.

Goals: Sara 31, 56, 83, Whitmore 81

Booked: Pomfret, Whitmore.

Gwalia: 1 Laura O’Sullivan-Jones, 2 Libby Piggott, 3 Tia Asker, 4 Emily Poole, 5 Ellie Lake, 6 Elena Cole (21 Ruby Scahill, 54), 7 Ellie Sargent, 12 Cori Williams-Mills, 23 Cerys Jones, 25 Keira O’Keefe (8 Chloe Lloyd, 75), 28 Casi Gregson. Substitutes: 10 Jemina Lister, 15 Shurima Vine, 17 Issy Newns, 18 Caitlin Williams, 31 Yasmin Davies.

Goals: Williams-Mills 11, 49, Sargent 40

Attendance: 511

PLY Argyle Women

GWA Gwalia United