Sun 29th Sep
Kick-off14:00

MAI Maidenhead

Crest Dark
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PLY Argyle Women

Ryan Perks

Argyle Women Head Coach Ryan Perks and his side hold a positive mindset ahead of Sunday’s FA Women’s National League Cup tie against Maidenhead United. 

The Greens travel to York Road to face the Division One South West side in the first round of the competition, with Argyle previously beating Bridgwater United and London Bees in qualifying rounds to secure their current position.  

Perks was delighted with his side's performance in league action against Billericay Town in their previous game, despite the result, and is hoping to continue forward positively. 

“I think we're all staying positive,” Perks told Argyle TV. “The performance was very good last weekend, although the result didn't go our way. We've had some reflection time and watched the game back, and it was a positive performance. We've just got to get better in that final third and take our chances.  

“We're creating lots of opportunities. I would be more concerned if we weren’t. We've worked on that this week in training and, hopefully, we get plenty of opportunities to showcase that in the game on Sunday.  

“It takes a little while for the group to click. We've brought in a few players, a few of whom haven't had many minutes over the last 12 months, so they're starting to get up to speed now. 

“The understanding between the players is growing. I think all the players are starting to play the way we want them to play and do the things we're asking them to do in training, and they can see our ideas coming out on the pitch. Although the results haven't been what we want, our performance levels are improving week by week and I think results will start coming.”

In previous cup fixtures this season, a rotated Argyle side has prevailed. Despite not being the main goal for the year, Perks will look to continue winning ways whilst granting more players game time. 

He said: “We always seem to do well in the cup games, and we have in previous years. It gives you a nice little break from the league, but also allows you to rotate players a little and have a look at different ideas.  

“The cup is not our main focus, but we compete still. We want to go as far as we can in it. That's no different this year. We'll treat Maidenhead with the respect they deserve, and we'll go into the game and look to win and progress into the next round.   

“Taya [Pomfret] still won't be involved this weekend. She's back in light training, under precaution. She probably could get involved, but we won't use her with a busy week coming up in the league the week after. Georgia Wilson won't be available as well but everyone else should be fit and ready to go.  

“We will do a little rotation in the starting 11, but not too much. If we look back to the previous round against Bridgwater, we changed a lot and almost got caught out. We want to build a bit of confidence and get that relationship building with players. There will be a few changes, but not too many.” 

Argyle Women

Argyle Women secured their place in the second round of the FA Women’s National League Cup following a 4-1 victory away from home against Maidenhead United.  

Goals from Katie Dickson, Ava Kuyken, Charlotte Whitmore and Ellie Sara propelled Argyle to a comfortable victory over the Division One South West side at York Road. 

The Greens will find out their second-round opponent following the draw on the evening of Monday, 30 September. 

Energy from kick-off was seen immediately, with Ryan Perks' side needing only three minutes to take the lead. Ella Stephens’ forward progress on the right and ball across the six-yard box was met by her opposite flanker Dickson, who tapped home easily. 

The rest of the opening 30 minutes was all Argyle. Chance after chance was created by all wearing green, but recovery defending, and a bit of luck, kept Maidenhead in the game.  

Whitmore had the opportunity to double the Greens’ lead but could not guide home her effort from within the Maidenhead area. Free-flowing football was on show for all in attendance, however, Dani Hull in the hosts’ goal made several strong saves. 

After tidy play on the left just before the half-time whistle, Kukyen picked up the ball inside the box from Stephens' layoff and fired into the bottom corner, doubling Argyle’s lead. 

With multiple stoppages in the first 45 minutes, ten additional minutes were filled with continuous pressure from the Greens, most notably through Sara. The forward found clear air in the box but dragged her shot wide of Maidenhead’s goal. 

The first major chance of the second half handed Argyle their third goal of the game through Whitmore. A confident pass from Kuyken over the hosts’ defence was met by a charging Whitmore, who finished in off the post past a diving Hull. 

Perks turned to his bench and made five changes over the next 15 minutes with Kelsey Blight, Katie Grigg, Erin O’Shea, Fern Orchard and Jess Geach coming onto the pitch. 

The home fans had something to cheer about when Amelie Mayani pulled a goal back in the 80th minute but, just three minutes later, Sara’s finish into the back of Maidenhead’s net extended Argyle’s lead back to three and secured their spot in the next round of the cup. 

 

Maidenhead United: 1 Dani Hull, 2 Isacc Gregory, 3 Tia Johnson (9 Izzy Stockton, 45), 6 Emily Norfolk, 8 RJ Jauad-Taborda (11 Ines Cipriano, 45), 12 Ruth Topping, 14 Ella Hughes (7 Macey Walters, 16), 15 Aleasha Lunn (10 Nat Cowell, 36), 16 Katie Akerman, 17 Natasha Rasmussen (capt), 18 Ellie Manners (20 Amelie Mayani, 69). Substitutes: 5 Sarah Thompson. 

Goals: Mayani 80 

Booked: Gregory 75 

Argyle: 56 Comfort Erhabor, 2 Katie Dickson (19 Erin O’Shea, 65), 3 Roxy Thomas, 5 Giota Papaioannou (capt) (25 Jess Geach, 69), 7 Charlotte Whitmore (20 Fern Orchard, 65), 9 Ellie Sara, 15 Georgie Knott (14 Kelsey Blight, 56), 16 Ella Stephens (18 Katie Grigg, 65), 17 Lulu Jarvis, 24 Ava Kuyken, 26 Caitlin Smith. Substitutes: 1 Lily Felgate (gk), 8 Imy Crawford. 

Goals: Dickson 3, Kuyken 45, Whitmore 52, Sara 83 

Booked: Grigg 88