Argyle Community Trust
ARGYLE Ladies are out of the SWH Devon Cup after a semi-final defeat in front of a healthy crowd at Buckland Athletic.
The opening 15 minutes saw little action at either end until Buckland fired the ball against the crossbar. Ezme Wells and Amber Pollock responded with good efforts before a great run and cross by Wells ended with Natasha Knapman having her shot blocked.
Buckland engineered a fast break but goalkeeper Michaela Phillips came to the rescue with a great save. It was the same at the other end when Knapman's shot was superbly saved by goalkeeper Abi Bond with Kayley Lane's follow up effort also saved.
The breakthrough came six minutes before half time when a Kayleigh Brown corner caused havoc in the home defence with Katie Middleton's flick-on header creating an enormous scramble before Lane forced the ball over the goal line.
Just as it looked as if Argyle would go into the half-time break ahead, Helen Kukor took advantage of poor defensive play to guide the ball into the net to draw the teams level. Knapman hit a fierce volley against the bar in a strong start to the second period.
The game changed in the 62nd minute, as Becky Atkins was deemed to be the last player when committing a foul and was red carded, leaving Hayley Chamberlain to convert the spot kick.
Unfortunately, with Argyle throwing caution to the wind, it was no surprise when Buckland broke away with former Pilgrim Laura Gough guiding the ball into the net. Less than thirty seconds later, another break ended with Kirsty Caunter adding a fourth.
Argyle didn't give up with Knapman seeing one shot blocked and another saved. With just three minutes remaining the lively Gabi Alphous pounced to reduce the arrears but by then it was too little too late, as the cup holders exited from the competition.
“Fair play to Buckland, they made it very difficult for us and we wish them well in the final,” said manager Dave Leonard. “I still don't know why or how we lost, I don't know if it was too big for them or why it wasn't there.
“This stop-start season is killing us, as we just cannot get into any sort of rhythm. I told them to not play from the midfield on a difficult pitch but to play in the wide areas. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for players to adapt to that, as it was against our principles.”
Buckland will meet last season’s beaten finalists Marine Academy Plymouth in the final who saw off Plympton 6-1.
