Report | Argyle Women 1 Portsmouth 2
Argyle 1
Greenslade 18
Portsmouth 2
Rowbotham 35, Jones 76
Argyle Women suffered an agonising defeat after Portsmouth turned the game around at Manadon Sports Hub on Sunday.
Lily Greenslade’s goal gave Argyle an early lead, but Portsmouth levelled towards the end of the first half through Ava Rowbotham. Emma Jones put the opposition ahead with ten minutes to go, and although Argyle continued to pressure the visitors, it was not enough to take the win.
Argyle took the game to the visitors from the moment the first whistle blew. Amber Pollock and Zoe Cunningham both challenged the keeper from distance, before Greenslade who put Argyle into the lead with a tidy finish into the bottom corner which the goalkeeper could not keep out, despite getting a hand on the ball.
Argyle keeper Jasmine Read was called upon in the minutes following the Argyle goal and although she made numerous saves, eventually Portsmouth broke through. Rowbotham found the back of the net after a well-placed ball over the top of the Argyle defence gave her enough room to get a shot away. Skipper Cunningham looked to respond with efforts from long range following the equaliser, but the half-time whistle blew shortly after.
After the break, Pollock and substitute Charlotte Whitmore would continue to cause issues for the Pompey defence through their blistering pace, although Pompey also came close to scoring, with one effort striking both posts but staying out.
Pompey claimed their victory in the last few minutes after a quality finish from Emma Jones in the penalty area. A thunderous shot into the top right corner gave the visitors the lead, and although the Greens continued to try to fashion a second goal it was in vain.
With the game finished it was clear to see on the players’ and staff's faces that they were gutted by the result. Regardless, the fans cheered on the hard-working Greens who all felt the side deserved more from that match, similar to last week against Billericay Women. Argyle now look to change their fortunes with a win against London Seaward in the league cup.
Argyle: 1 Jasmine Read, 2, Sophie Perrin, 23 Rosie McDonnell, 5 Panagiota Papaioannou, 3 Rosie Train, 20 Beth Ireland (13 Katie Dickson), 8 Kayley Lane, 18 Imy Crawford, 10 Zoe Cunningham (7 Charlotte Whitmore), 27 Greenslade, 10 Amber Pollock.
Photo Credit: Isaac Quant
