Report | Argyle Women 3-0 London Bees
Argyle progressed comfortably into the next round of the FA Women’s National League Cup with a 3-0 win over London Bees at Home Park.
All of the goals came in the first period, with Georgia Wilson scoring twice, either side of a strike from Charlotte Whitmore.
Head Coach Ryan Perks opted to play with three centre defenders – Amii Kearley, Giota Papaioannou and debutant Caitlin Smith – with Ella Stephens and Lulu Jarvis as wing-backs. Ava Kuyken played in a slightly deeper role, in midfield, alongside Imy Crawford, with Wilson playing in the gap behind Ellie Sara and Whitmore.
An open start to the game saw Bees have the first foray forward, with Sam Lanza and Millie Constantine involved in making Felgate make the first save of the game.
Quickly, Argyle created chances of their own, with Sara making visiting keeper Tia Ginn stop one low to her right, and Whitmore sending in a deflected effort that span only just past the post.
Millie Isherwood had the ball in the net for London, but was offside when she did so, but largely Argyle were on top, knocking the ball around confidently, and it was no surprise when the Greens look the lead after a dozen minutes.
Wilson collected the ball outside the penalty area and, with Ginn off her line, floated a well-struck effort over the Bees’ goalkeeper and into the net.
Looking to press home their advantage, Argyle came oh-so-close to making it two when Stephens whipped in a superb right-wing cross that Sara beat the goalkeeper to, and headed against the post.
Bees had a left-wing corner that Argyle failed to clear, which ended in Mira Hoteit shooting over in a good position. It was a rare attack, but a good chance for the visitors to level.
The Bees’ feeling of a missed opportunity was heightened as Argyle doubled their lead not long later.
Argyle had one attack which Ginn ended by racing out to foil Sara, and it looked like the same was happening when the same combo came together a few minutes later. However, this time, after Ginn has stopped Sara following excellent work by Stephens, Whitmore gave Argyle just the tonic they needed by knocking home the rebound.
The Greens then stretched their lead before half-time when Wilson turned her tight marker on the edge of the area, then delicate floated a finish over the oncoming goalkeeper.
The three-goal advantage that Argyle took into the break seemed to get into the psyche of both teams. Bees looked a little resigned to their fate, and rarely tested Felgate in the second period. Meanwhile, Argyle continued to look for more goals, but perhaps without the same urgency as the first period.
Sara, Whitmore, Wilson and Kuyken all had half-chances, but were either blocked from getting shots off or found their efforts saved. Substitute Erin O’Shea later had a chance of her own making, but could not curl the ball away from Ginn.
Argyle will settle for the comfort of the second period, though, and the win means the Greens will face Maidenhead United in the next round.
The next league fixture is away to Billericay Town, next Sunday, 22 September. The next game at Home Park is not until Wednesday, 9 October (7.45pm) when Argyle host a Devon Derby against Exeter City.
Argyle: 1 Lily Felgate, 4 Amii Kearley (3 Roxy Thomas, half-time), 5 Giota Papaioannou (capt), 7 Charlotte Whitmore (19 Erin O’Shea, 77), 8 Imy Crawford (15 Georgie Knott, 77), 9 Ellie Sara, 10 Georgia Wilson, 16 Ella Stephens (2 Katie Dickson, 77), 17 Lulu Jarvis (20 Fern Orchard, 65), 24 Ava Kuyken, 26 Caitlin Smith. Substitutes: 14 Kelsey Blight, 25 Jess Geach.
Goals: Wilson 12, 40, Whitmore 36
London Bees: 1 Tia Ginn, 2 Mira Hoteit (25 Destiny Rosier-Welsh 79), 3 Aria Heil, 6 Rebekah Wozniak, 8 Aimee Durn (capt) (8 Aaliyah Charles, 73), 9 Millie Isherwood (12 Emilia Parsons, 73), 10 Sam Lanza, 11 Megan Burrows, 15 Millie Constantine (16 Sarah McDermott, 73), 19 Olivia Bartlett (7 Sophie Lee, half-time), 24 Hayley Hoare. Substitutes: 5 Cheyenne Flynn, 22 Shamoy Campbell.
Half Time: Plymouth Argyle 3-0 London Bees
Booked: Burrows 64.
Attendance: 535.
