Argyle Community Trust ARGYLE’S miserable record in the Premier League Cup competition continued in London with this disappointing defeat. Argyle had their chances but they were beaten by two well-taken goals.
The Pilgrims started slowly with goalkeeper Michaela Phillips keeping them in the game with two superb one-on-one saves to deny Wimbledon scoring. Argyle then woke up and a superb through ball from Natasha Knapman found Ezme Wells but she drilled the ball wide.
Argyle paid for that miss, when ten minutes later Wimbledon worked the ball to the right-hand side where Sam Wylde beat Rachel Javan and her cross somehow evaded everyone to nestle into the net.
The Ladies struck back well and a move that started from Phillips saw the ball move through the phases leaving Wells’ cut back being narrowly curled over the crossbar by Dani Salt. Argyle’s pressure began to tell and in the 35th minute a Kate Middleton free-kick was flicked on by Lucy Olde to Salt who slammed the ball into the net.
Unfortunately, Wimbledon struck back immediately when Argyle's defence didn't deal with a corner at the back post and, in the ensuing scramble, Kelly-Jade Whelan scored.
Argyle continued to press in the second half and their efforts were rewarded when in the 51st minute Wells fired in a superb 20-yard volley across the goalkeeper.
Wimbledon grabbed the winning goal in the 70th minute when a long ball over the top was not dealt with and the resulting cross from the byline was headed in from point blank range by Rebecca Sargent.
A disappointed manager Dave Leonard said: “I have no complaints, we lost the game in the first half and didn't do enough. We didn't apply ourselves and gave ourselves too much to do.
“I can't fault the effort or work rate it just wasn't our day. We played Shanklin on the opening day and, instead of kicking on against St Nicholas, this was postponed. We now don't play for another two weeks when we meet Cheltenham Town.”
Thanks to Dave Potham for the report.
