Preview | Argyle Women v Oxford United
Argyle Women play at Home Park on Sunday for the first time this season, welcoming Oxford United to the Theatre of Greens for an FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division game.
The Pilgrims’ opening match of the season ended in defeat away from home to Cheltenham Town, and Head Coach Ryan Perks is aware of the challenge that Oxford possess but is hoping for a positive response from his side.
Oxford, meanwhile, lost their opening game 3-0 against Ipswich Town.
“It's going to be a tough game,” Perks told Argyle TV. “We had difficult games against Oxford last season; we beat them in the FA Cup, but the league games were a little bit more one-sided. They're going to be a team who's going to be up fighting for promotion I think, so they're going to want to bounce back from a negative result from the weekend as well and so are we.
“I've previously alluded to it, there are no easy games in this league. We're after a reaction, and a better performance, and hopefully we can get a positive result on Sunday as well.
“We’ve looked back at the footage from Cheltenham at the weekend. It was a negative result, so we've focused more on what the shape looks like without the ball. The focus will turn tonight to how Oxford set up, their strengths and weaknesses, and where we think we can exploit them.
“We don't want to dwell too much on the result from last weekend. It's only the first game of 22. There are 21 more games to go. We need a better performance this weekend.”
All of Argyle’s home games are intended to be played at Home Park this season, and Perks is excited for the opportunity, as well as the support the side will get from the Green Army.
“With the game being at Home Park, that brings a bit more into it,” he said. “I think some of them are slightly nervous about playing at Home Park; some players are playing their first games here. The more experienced heads have just got to get around those girls and deal with those nerves.
“Nerves are good in football. It can go one of two ways, so hopefully it goes the right way on Sunday.
“We've had experience here before and the fans have got behind the girls. It gives you more on the pitch and the desire to run around more. I think the fans will give us a little extra on the pitch.
“Hopefully we get a big crowd in. I know it's Bank Holiday weekend, but hopefully, people can come along and get behind the girls. That would be brilliant.”
Defender Amii Kearley featured in the starting line-up for Sunday’s opening game of the season but had to be substituted in the first half. Perks gave an update on her position ahead of Sunday’s tie.
He said: “Amii's been struggling with sporting-induced asthma, so she's on a new inhaler. We were hoping it would have kicked in by now. She was still struggling a little bit last night in training.
“We're hoping to get her in to see a specialist, but she's a bit of a doubt for the weekend, which is a big loss. Amii's a very talented young player. We'll see if we can get her in before the weekend to see the specialist and go from there.”
Season Tickets for Argyle’s home campaign are now available. Season Tickets cost £75 for adults, £40 for over-65s and just £20 for ages 14-18. They can be purchased via ArgyleTickets.com.
Tickets for Sunday’s match against Oxford United are also on sale. Single match tickets are available via ArgyleTickets.com and cost £10 for adults, £5 for over-65s and £3 for under-18s.
You can also purchase via phone by calling 01752 907700 or visiting the Home Park Ticket Office from 10am to 4pm on Monday to Friday, or 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.
