Report | Crawley Wasps 2 Argyle Women 1
It was Argyle’s turn to lose to a last-gasp goal this week, as Crawley Wasps struck late on to claim their first win of the season.
Seven days after elation at London Bees, the sting in the tale this time came from Crawley’s Tish Nicholis, who scored in stoppage time to give Wasps a 2-1 victory.
Argyle had taken an early lead through a Rosie McDonnell header in a first half they dominated, but Nicholis equalised after the interval then pounced late on to give the hosts a huge three points.
Argyle had started with purpose, with Beth Ireland, Georgia Wilson and Charlotte Whitmore all going close early on, but it was from a Katie Dickson free-kick that Argyle got the start they’d hoped for. A pinpoint ball towards the front post found McDonnell who slotted home her first league goal in green as well as giving her side a vital leg-up in a crucial match.
The rest of the first half was mostly controlled by Argyle, with Crawley having little impact in the final third. The best chance for a second came through a Whitmore breakaway shot that rebounded towards Lily Greenslade, but Crawley’s defence scrambled and blocked the opportunity.
Crawley came out in spirit after their first-half performance and Nicholis levelled the scoreline five minutes into the second half with an effort from range that flew into the net.
After a brief period of back and forth, Argyle manager Ryan Perks brought on Amber Pollock for the injured Whitmore. The switch nearly paid dividends; a well-placed ball behind the defence allowed Pollock to run through and chip the onrushing Wasps keeper Wiggins outside of the area, but the ball was cleared as a result of Pollock losing her footing shortly after.
The middle stages of the second half saw both sides trade in attempts to gain the lead. Pollock and Ireland each found space to shoot goalward, but neither was able to beat Wiggins. Nicholis also came close in this period via a free kick from range, but the shot proved to be an easy save for Jasmine Read.
Both sides ramped up their efforts to come away with a win in the final moments of the game. Pollock came close to regaining the lead through a run into the box that resulted in the forward falling to the floor following a tackle in the area. Argyle players and staff cried out for a penalty, but it was not given.
With time running out, Crawley took their final chance of the game to clinch victory via Nicholis once again. A half-volley on the edge of the area was the final major highlight of a hard-fought match between both sides.
Despite the result, Argyle still remain close to the teams above them in the table. With a week’s break to come for The Greens, Argyle now look to bounce back to winning ways at Manadon Sports Hub on Thursday, 23 February against Bridgwater United.
Argyle: 1 Jasmine Read, 3 Rosie Train, 5 Panagiota Papaioannou, 23 Rosie McDonnell, 13 Katie Dickson, 8 Kayley Lane, 18 Imy Crawford, 16 Georgia Wilson (15 Taya Pomfret), 7 Charlotte Whitmore (11 Amber Pollock), 20 Beth Ireland (17 Tiana Campbell), 27 Lily Greenslade.
