Richard Luscombe ARGYLE’S second string continued their impressive pre-season with another victory against opponents from a higher division. The Development team were left in no doubt that they had set certain standards last week when beating Torquay United and they needed to maintain them.
We started on the front-foot and soon had Bishops under pressure, and it was surprising that it took as long as it did to make a breakthrough. A combination of great goalkeeping and spurned chances kept the young Pilgrims at bay.
The opening goal arrived when Faye Ivall won the ball deep in her own half, strode forward and threaded a great ball through to Gabi Alphous who made no mistake by shooting across the goalkeeper to score in off the far post.
It became4 2-0 midway through the first half when Alex Hugh won the ball, skipped past a challenge and passed to Clare Ostle on the left hand side of the penalty area. The midfielder surged past two challenges before hitting a low powerful drive into the bottom corner of the net.
The second half was a more even affair and it wasn’t long before Bishops pulled a goal back. A free-kick wasn’t dealt with and a defensive mix up allowed the Bishops forward to have the freedom of the penalty area to find the back of the net.
The crucial third goal came when Becky Parkyn played a ball to Gabi Alphous who neatly turned her marker. The pacey striker then put a through ball to Summer Taylor who despite being forced wide managed to cleverly chip the ball over the goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net.
Still without a regular goalkeeper, Manager Rob Bonney said: “The team would like to thank Kate Middleton for donning the gloves.”
Squad: Katie Middleton, Catherine Davis, Abigail Scurr, Alex Hugh, Becky Parkyn, Clare Ostle, Tamsin Medd-Gill, Gabi Alphous, Faye Ivall, Summer Taylor, Emily Baker, Charlie Rollerson, Shania Fenlon, Amarnie Crabtree.
Goals: Gabi Alphous, Claire Ostle, Summer Taylor.
