Perks assesses Exeter defeat

Despite being unable to claim the three points in Wednesday’s Devon Derby against Exeter City at Home Park, Argyle Women’s Head Coach Ryan Perks credits his side’s resilience and determination in the second half. 

The Greens trailed by two goals after the first 45 minutes, with Sophie Gillies and Sarah Stacey getting on the scoresheet, and although a third goal was scored by the visitors in the dying minutes, a much-improved second-half by the Greens was on show for the near 2,000 fans in attendance.  

“The result is not what we wanted,” Perks told Argyle TV. “I think the scoreline flatters Exeter slightly. I thought they were better in the first 45 minutes, but in the second 45, we were better than them. Coming into the game the first goal was always going to be crucial. We started really positively with the ball, and then a little lapse in concentration at the back occurs and we get punished with a good finish. It's probably shape rather than individual error, which cost us there. 

“We then give away a penalty by not clearing the first ball well enough and it's a tough old night then, isn't it? I think once we went a goal down, we stopped playing the way we wanted to play. We want to build from the back and play nice football and I think we lacked a bit of bravery in the middle part of the first half to get on the ball. 

“However, on the flip side, I think in the second half it would have been easy for the girls to cave in at 2-0 and lack a bit of character and resilience, but we came out and we've played the way we've asked them to play, created some good opportunities and it's just either a lack of quality in the final ball or the final decision and we don't get the rub of the green.  

“I think Ellie [Sara] was unlucky with a header and if we get one, we probably go on to get a second and probably get a point, but then the sucker punch right at the end from a set piece makes it a tough one to take.  

“We’ve got to try and bounce back. It's not going to be easy. We've got Ipswich Town at home on Sunday, an excellent footballing side and a full-time outfit, so we’re not under any illusion that it'll be easy.”  

A half-time deficit is a dampener for any team, but the reaction from Argyle after the second-half restart was noticed by all at Home Park and was surely in no small part down to a team talk from Perks. 

He said: “We had a little discussion in the changing room, and I spoke about belief. I think they've just got to start believing in themselves more. When you're losing, you lack a little bit of confidence, you don't want to make mistakes, but that's how we want them to play. We want them to be brave and to link play in the middle. If they make mistakes, that’s on us as a coaching staff. 

“But, if they don't play that way and don't do the things we're asking them to do, then it's got to be on the players a little bit. We spoke about it at half-time and said, ‘look, play the way we're asking you to play. Trust us,’ and I think it was evident. We had a lot more final third entries and a few more shots at goal.” 

The night will be remembered by many for multiple reasons, but with nearly 2,000 fans travelling to Home Park, the contest between the Greens and the Grecians was a strong showcase of Women’s football in the South West, which is something Perks agrees with. 

“Getting a big crowd in is nice,” Perks said. “I’m disappointed that we haven't sent the fans home happy, but I think tonight there were two sides from the South West showcasing Women's football. I think it was quite a tight contest and people probably would have been sat on the edge of their seats at times. 

“I’m just disappointed that we haven't got the result for the fans, or at least given them a goal to get behind the team and try to get us over the line. However, we do really appreciate all the fans coming out and hopefully, they'll come out again on Sunday because we're going to need the support. 

“It's going to be a tough game, all games are difficult, but games against Ipswich aren't going to define our season. The matches against teams like Cheltenham and Billericay, which we've got coming up in a couple of weeks, are the games we need to start winning and picking up points again. 

“We'll give it a good go on Sunday, try our best and we'll try to bounce back as quick as we can.”