PLYMOUTH Argyle made a disappointing start to their home campaign in the FA Women’s National League Southern Division as they lost 7-0 to Cardiff City at Manadon on Sunday.
The heavy defeat followed on from a 5-1 away reverse at Keynsham Town last weekend in their opening 2020-21 league fixture.
Although new manager Ryan Perks felt there had been improvements from his side, they were well beaten by a Cardiff side who are expected to be challenging for promotion.
“We improved on last week’s performance but gave away too many soft goals and at this level you get punished,” said Perks.
Argyle, who lost a host of players in the summer, were in the game in the first half on Sunday, but Cardiff took control in the second period, scoring five of their seven goals.
Kylie Nolan claimed a hat-trick for the visitors, who also had Jasmine Turner (2), Libby Piggott and Kelly Isaac on the scoresheet.
Marine Academy Plymouth are the early leaders of the South West Regional Premier Division after they hammered Torquay United 11-1 at Ivybridge on Sunday.
Marine Academy have scored an incredible 43 goals and conceded just one in their opening four league and cup games so far this season.
They had beaten Torquay 5-0 away a couple of weeks ago, but they were even more clinical on their own pitch.
Torquay did start quite well and Marine Academy had to wait until the 19th minute to get their first goal, but then the hosts took total control and went in at the break 6-1 ahead.
Izzie Scott and Samantha Drewey both scored twice in the opening period, with Jana Richards and Beth Everson also netting in the opening 45 minutes.
After the break, Everson completed her hat-trick before Scott did the same. Jana Richards added a fine second before Emily Eaton completed the scoring with great long-range effort.
In the same division, Callington Town were beaten 2-0 away at Bideford – the team they had overcome 2-1 at home seven days earlier in the FA Cup.
There was disappointment for both Plymouth Argyle Development and Plympton in the South West Regional Western Division.
Argyle Development lost 4-2 at home to Alphington, while Plympton were beaten 6-5 away at Feniton.
Rosie Train and Sophie Buchanan scored second half goals for the young Pilgrims, who had been 3-0 down at the break. Alphington, who had a player sent off, had former Argyle and Exeter player Helen Kukor scoring two goals to go with further strikes from Catherine Wright and Kirsty Brown.
It was also a frustrating day for Activate and Signal Box Oak Villa in the Devon Women’s League Premier Division.
Activate lost 3-0 away at Shaldon Villa, while Signal Box, who had beaten Exeter University 6-1 the week before, suffered a 10-2 loss away at early leaders Liverton United. Abigail Smith and Abigail White scored for Signal Box.
In the Cornwall Women’s League East Division, Callington Town Reserves hammered St Breward 15-0.
Kate Crowell-Hodge scored a hat-trick for Callington, who had Lisa Pearce, Maisie Godfrey, Keisha Ellis and Gemma Farley all netting twice and Lauren Baker, Siobhan Ellyatt, Mortha Minns and Logan Martin also getting on the scoresheet.
Callington Reserves will play Saltash United next weekend. The Ashes have added former Commonwealth Games medal-winning sprinter Katherine Endacott to their ranks this weekend, along with Jade Bryan.
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