Argyle Community Trust
THE Pilgrims may be looking at life in the South West Division next season but on this encouraging display, it will not be long before they are back in the higher division.
Argyle started confidently and Mollie Taylor twice tested goalkeeper Ronja Andersson. Danielle Salt then judged Becky Atkins’ free-kick perfectly but unfortunately headed over the bar. Out of the blue, a long ball out to Chez Albert in the 25th minute saw her beat the offside trap to smash a great 25-yard shot into the net.
The QPR lead lasted just three minutes as the alert Taylor raced on to a ball over the defence to coolly lob the advancing goalkeeper. On a bumpy surface, good passing moves were becoming more difficult.
Ezme Wells saw her weak shot saved, while full back Phoebe Baker made a great run up the left wing past a couple of defenders, only for the poor surface to prevent her getting full control of ball to set up a team-mate.
Argyle stepped up the pace in the second half but they had to rely on defender Natalie Valponi to head clear after goalkeeper Kate Middleton's clearance was charged down.
Minutes later, Argyle found themselves 2-1 down when Puddefoot fed Juliette Denny who fired low into the corner of the net. Argyle were now in all out attack mode with Wells seeing her shot blocked by Andersson and Jodie Chubb heading over.
Chances came thick and fast, with Wells having another effort saved by Andersson, who also denied Taylor with the pacey Amber Pollock shooting over. At times, it seemed all that stood between a big Argyle win was goalkeeper Andersson, who managed to get behind everything that was thrown at her.
With all these chances a goal just had to come – and it did when Taylor shook off Puddefoot to send in a rasping drive which Andersson could only parry, but the alert Becky Atkins raced in to smash the rebound into the net.
Two minutes later it seemed all but over as Argyle were awarded a penalty when Jean Seninde brought down Danielle Salt leaving Kayleigh Brown to take the penalty but the nerves got the better of her as she fired the ball over the crossbar.
Manager Dave Leonard was full of praise for his players after the game: “It was an impressive team performance to end the season on. We dominated the second half and if we took our chances we could have won comfortably.”
Thanks to Dave Potham for the picture.
