Perks reacts to season opening defeat

Following Argyle’s 4-0 loss to Cheltenham Town in the first match of the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier division season, Head Coach Ryan Perks was disappointed with how his side played in Gloucestershire. 

The hosts took the lead before the 20th minute through Henna Butcher. The Robinesses then scored goals on either side of the half, thanks to Lacy-Jay Liggett and Una Lue, to extend their lead to three before the hour mark. Emily Owen’s header midway through the second half ended any chance of a comeback, handing Cheltenham three points at Kayte Lane. 

“I thought we were poor start to finish really,” Perks said. “[It was] a lacklustre performance. We lost Amii [Kearley] after 15 minutes, which didn't help. We've worked on a strategy and shape, and we've had to change it and adapt within 15 minutes of the game.   

“Overall, we just lacked a little desire to land on second balls. Out of possession, I thought we were poor, so [there are] lots and lots to work on, nowhere near good enough.  

“We know as a coaching staff that wasn't good enough. The players know it wasn't good enough. We'll watch the footage back. I think, first and foremost, we need to have that heart and desire to win the ball. If you get that right and outrun teams at this level, your quality with the ball will shine. It was nowhere near good enough today.” 

With the next fixture being an important match at Home Park against Oxford United, Argyle have a chance to review and reflect on the game and bounce back in the right direction. 

Perks said: “I’ve just said to the girls in the changing room there, ‘look, we'll draw a line under it.’ You can't change the performance or the result, but what we can do is get a positive reaction next week, hopefully. 

“This league is difficult. I've said it plenty of times before. If you turn up and you perform like we did today, you'll get found out, so you've got to be on it every week. We'll reflect and see where we went wrong today and, hopefully, we can try and work on that this week and put it right. 

“They're better than how they performed today, and they know that - we all know that. We’ll draw a line under it and try to bounce back next week.”