Ryan Perks reacts to Bridgwater cup win

Argyle Women won their FA Women’s National League Cup Determining Round fixture against Bridgwater United on Thursday evening. However, Head Coach Ryan Perks is still looking for consistency in his side’s performances, despite the 4-2 victory.  

“Cup football is about getting through and progressing,” Perks said. “We've done that, but the performance level wasn't good enough. We had 10 minutes in the second half after we made some changes, where we got a reaction, dominated and scored three - that changed the game. 

“We weren't at the races at all, but it’s cup football, job done. We’re through to the next round and we look forward to the draw.” 

Argyle opened the game’s scoring through Giota Papaioannou’s header in the first half, but an error in Argyle’s final third handed Bridgwater an equaliser through Beth Everson.  

Faith Bedford, who had an effort that struck the bar in the first half, fired home through Argyle bodies in the box to give Bridgwater the advantage just minutes into the second 45. However, Argyle kicked on and scored three goals in seven minutes - through Georgia Wilson and Ellie Sara’s brace - and held on to win the game 4-2. 

Despite the positive result, Perks believes his side needs to be more clinical with the ball on both ends of the pitch. 

“We said before the game that there were three non-negotiables and that was to outwork, outrun and win first and second balls against Bridgwater, and we didn't do that well enough in the first half,” he said.  

“[In the first half] we had some good opportunities to come in three or four goals up probably, but we didn't take those opportunities, and we've got to be better in moments at both ends. We give teams too many goals and it's got to stop quickly.” 

Looking ahead in the week, Argyle travel to Milton Keynes Dons for an FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division clash on Sunday, in which Perks is hoping to see a stronger and positive performance after the cup tie.  

He said: “I think tonight just gives them a little bit of a wake-up call around not underestimating your opponent. Yes, MK haven't had a great start, but neither have we. We've lost two from two, and so have they.  

“We've got to go there, apply ourselves properly, and then hopefully come away with three points, but we have to be a lot better than we were tonight.”