PLYMOUTH Argyle have announced that Home Park will host the women’s ‘Dockyard Derby’ against Portsmouth on Sunday, March 17.
The club’s board of directors have agreed to host the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division match at the Theatre of Greens as part of a day to celebration of the two cities’ military heritage.
The Royal British Legion will lead out the two sides and half-time entertainment will be provided with a penalty shoot out between force cadets.
Kick-off will be at 2pm and gates will open from 12:30pm. Admission: Adults £5, concessions £3, under-18s are free. Entrance will be through turnstiles 11 and 12 with unreserved seating in blocks 10, 11 and 12 of the Lyndhurst Stand.
Meanwhile, Argyle Ladies’ ational League Southern Premier Division Match with Gillingham, which should have been played on Sunday at Coach Road, Newton Abbot, has been postponed.
Devon FA deemed the pitch at county HQ unfit. It is frustrating for the Pilgrims, who were looking to build on their win over Watford last weekend.
Elsewhere Argyle’s development team will be looking to get back to winning ways when they travel to Feniton in the South West League Western Division.
League leaders Argyle were beaten 3-0 at second-placed Bideford last week which threw the race for the title wide open.
The Pilgrims had to work hard to see off Feniton 3-1 at home earlier in the season so should prove to be difficult opponents.
Argyle have arguably the best run in and Bideford have to meet fellow title chasers Plympton twice, including tomorrow with third-placed Alphington also having to play both Plympton and Bideford.
The young Green have to deal with a growing injury list. Definitely out is goalkeeper Claire Squires and influential defender Rachel Javan. There are also doubts over Shania Fenlon and Kiara Robins (knee injuries), Maya Ridge (ankle), and skipper Alex Hugh, who has been playing through the pain barrier with a foot injury and will have a late fitness test. Also missing will be defender Charlie Rollerson, who is going on her travels.
But on the plus side they can call upon Amy Darnley to fill the goalkeeper’s position. They can also welcome back player/coach Vicki Fannon, who was unavailable last week.
Manager Rob Bonney remains in a very positive mood saying: “We have been in this situation before and rose to the occasion and we certainly have the character to do it again.”
Development Squad: Amy Darnley, Jodie Randall, Becky Parkyn, Gabi Alphous, Nicola Champion, Kelly Vinnicombe, Vicki Fannon, Abbie Scurr, Hannah Brock, Sally Salter, Alex Hugh, Kiara Robins, Maya Ridge, Shania Fenlon, Tamsin Medd-Gill.