Report | Argyle Women 2 Watford 5

Argyle 2
Pollock 1, Whitmore 58

Watford 5
Davison 11, McLean 43, Own Goal 51, Rossiter 77, Brough 82

Despite taking a very early lead, Argyle Women suffered defeat against promotion-seeking Watford on Sunday.

The Greens took an early lead through Amber Pollock who netted Argyles' first goal 52 seconds into the first half. Watford equalised 10 minutes later and took the lead just before the first half’s end. The U’s extended their lead in the second half but Argyle quickly responded through Charlotte Whitmore at close range. The final 15 minutes saw Watford extend despite a strong showing from Argyle, with two goals from range securing three points for the visitors.

Argyle began the first half perfectly thanks to an early goal from Pollock, whose initial shot ricocheted off the keeper but fell for her to slot home within the opening minute. The U’s responded with immediate pressure, boxing Argyle into their area for spells. Watford’s equaliser came in the 11th minute via an unmarked Gemma Davison who thumped her shot into the back of the net from the edge of the area.

With Watford on top, goalkeeper Jasmine Read was called into action with five minutes remaining on the first half, as Watford’s Dré Georgiou tried her luck from range. Read reacted well and tipped the effort over the bar.

Spurred on by Georgiou’s chance, Watford gained another chance before the half ended and took the lead through a close-range effort via Sophie McLean.

Having scored late in the first half, Watford scored early in the second, via a own goal that snuck under Read on the line, having ricocheted in a crowd of players.

The period following Watford's third was largely dominated by Argyle, with Kayley Lane, Georgia Wilson and Charlotte Whitmore all causing problems for the Watford defence.

The 58th minute saw Argyle gain a free kick on the edge of the area despite the foul on Pollock being committed in the penalty area. Despite this apparent injustice, the free-kick found Whitmore, who thumped the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Argyle sensed momentum, and Whitmore continued to cause problems for the Watford defence. She almost netted a second from distance, but the shot just missed the top corner.

Following this period, Watford began to turn the tide, and in the 78th minute netted their fourth as a shot from range from Annie Rossiter flew high into the net.

A driven shot from substitute Faye Brough beat Read from a distance, and the game was effectively sealed. However, there was time for Read to make a super penalty save from Helen Ward late in the game.

Argyle now look to next Sunday where they travel away to Stadium MK to take on MK Dons FC Women as the conclusion to the FAWNL Southern Premier Division draws near.

Argyle: 1 Jasmine Read, 3 Rosie Train, 4 Jemma Rose, 5 Panagiota Papaioannou, 23 Rosie McDonnell, 13 Katie Dickson (14 Sam Cox), 8 Kayley Lane, 16 Georgia Wilson, 18 Imy Crawford (7 Charlotte Whitmore), 11 Amber Pollock (35 Grace Perrins), 27 Lily Greenslade (9 Erin O’Shea).