Richard Luscombe PLYMOUTH Argyle Ladies enjoyed a historic victory in the third round of the FA Cup to complete a hat-trick of success for all teams in Green over the mid-winter period.
Following on from the first-team extending their unbeaten run to seven games and the youth team recording a superb FA Youth Cup win at Burnley, it was the turn of Argyle Ladies in a tough trip to the Lancashire coast.
AFC Fylde have built a reputation for playing expansive football in the Premier League Northern Divison but they had no answer to a stunning display from the Pilgrims with a double from Natasha Knapman and Amber Pollock’s deflected strike earning a 3-1 triumph.
The best way to relieve the pressure of a big occasion is to score an early goal and talismanic striker Knapman delivered inside four minutes with a sweet finish from 16 yards.
To their credit, Fylde responded with a swift equaliser, as Lauren Merring converted from close-range but the Pilgrims remained the more progressive outfit, and regained the lead when Knapman crossed for Pollock to score via a slight deflection.
A decisive third arrived on the stroke of half-time and it was a typical poacher’s effort from Knapman, slamming home the rebound after an initial effort by Becky Atkins had been well saved.
Goalkeeper Michaela Phillips made a couple of decent saves in the second period but, in general, Argyle remained the side in control and even had the luxury of a missed penalty before becoming the first women’s team from Home Park to reach this stage of the competition in over 40 years.
