PLYMOUTH Argyle Ladies are hoping London-based Greens fans will turn up and support them on Sunday when they visit Hounslow in the National Southern Premier Division.
When they played at Gillingham a few weeks ago they were encouraged by the backing of a number of the London Branch of the Plymouth Argyle Supporters’ Association.
The 2-0 win at Gillingham kicked started the Pilgrims’ season and they have since followed that up with a 6-1 victory over Keynsham Town and a 5-1 success over former Super League side Yeovil Town.
Hounslow , who changed their name from Queens Park Rangers this season, have not had the best of starts and have only picked up one point up to date. They went down 6-0 at home to Watford on Wednesday.
Argyle have added two new quality players to their squad this week in the form of former Crystal Palace and Gillingham defender Lydia Huntley and Bow Jackson.
Huntley played in all of Gillingham’s 30 games last season was voted players’ player of the year and should be 0a valuable acquisition. The promising 19-year-old has moved to Devon to study sports and exercise science at the University of Exeter.
The teenager follows Jackson in joining Argyle. She signed from Canadian side Calgary Foothills. Both players go straight into the Pilgrims squad for Sunday’s trip.
Argyle manager David Leonard is delighted to have Huntley join his squad.
“We are delighted to have signed a player that comes with a high-quality background, and at only 19-years-old, she can take us to the next level.”
Leonard now has a huge headache on his hands as the inclusion of the two new signings means he takes a squad of 16 to London.
“My job is to take the team to the next level,” said Leonard. “I’m serious at what I am trying to do with Argyle Ladies as my aim is to take the club to the next level. I’ve got a job to do and I’ve got to make decisions – that is what football is all about and I won’t shirk away from making big decisions.
“I am absolutely delighted at the competition for places is now serious and that can only be good for Plymouth Argyle Ladies.”
Leonard is determined that his side will not underestimate Hounslow.
“There is nothing worse than going to a home of a wounded animal. We travelled their last year and we struggled. We will not take teams lightly and I will never allow my team to take a team lightly, we have got a difficult game on our hands.”
Argyle: Becky Kyle, Leah Burridge, Kate Middleton, Mollie Taylor, Helen Bleazard, Kayley Lane, Steph Beck, Zoe Cunningham, Faye Ivall, Becky Dandridge, Amber Pollock, Jessie Jones, Natasha Knapman, Ebony Dover, Bow Jackson, Lydia Huntley.
Once again there will be changes to Argyle’s development squad for their third game of the season when they travel to St Agnes.
The bad news is one of the changes is enforced, as Greek under-20 international Giota Papaioannou suffered a thigh injury in last week’s game and has been ruled out. Also missing will be Scarlett Williams and the impressive Nelinha Barros.
On the plus side, into the squad comes Nicola Champion and Kiara Robins, who made a cameo appearance last week after injury. Manager Rob Bonney is waiting on fitness checks on Maisie Williams and Ellie Bishop.
The coaching staff are happy with the performances of the team in their first two outings and know the team will be working hard to gain the points their play deserves.
Argyle Development (from): Maddie Walsh, Rachel Javan, Jodie Randall, Rachel Heron, Hannah Brock, Lucy Solloway, Dani Wyatt, Beth Cowd, Leah Johnson, Dee Newman, Kiara Robins, Nicola Champion, Maddy Leppard, Maisie Williams, Ellie Bishop, Chardonnay James