THE 2020-21 women’s football season may only be a month-and-a-half old but already it looks like Plymouth Argyle are facing a relegation battle in the FA National League Southern Premier Division after they were hammered 8-0 at home by Milton Keynes Dons on Sunday.
It was the Pilgrims’ fifth consecutive defeat and they remain pointless in the league, having conceded 30 goals and only scored two.
They and fellow winless club Hounslow are now six points adrift from the rest of the sides in the division.
Milton Keynes, who lie third in the table, scored four goals in each half at Manadon. Vicky Neal, Jade Bell and Chez Albert all netted twice for the visitors, who also had Rhianne Rush and Mollie Couper on the scoresheet.
After the match, Argyle manager Ryan Perks said: “Always knew it was going to be a difficult season. We all need to stick together, continue to work hard, keep positive and look to the future.”
Marine Academy Plymouth bounced back from last week’s FA Cup defeat to Helston by beating Somerset side Middlezoy 3-1 away to stay top of the South West Women’s Premier Division.
Marine have won all three of their league games so far, scoring 19 goals and only conceding two.
On Sunday, they handed a debut to new experienced midfielder Stacey Tonkin. Their goals at Middlezoy came from Izzie Scott, Samantha Drewery and Nicola Symons, with Beth Everson claiming the player of the match award.
Callington’s game with Torquay United in the same division was postponed.
In the South West Women’s Western Division, Plymouth Argyle’s development team were beaten 3-0 away at Feniton, while Plympton’s away game at Sherborne was postponed.
Signal Box Oak Villa stay third in the Devon League Premier Division after they comfortably beat Shaldon Villa 7-2 at Weston Mill.
Vicky Jasper again pulled the strings for Oak Villa and finished the afternoon with a hat-trick of goals. It was her second hat-trick in five league games.
Chardonnay James was also influential and bagged two against Shaldon, with Abigail Smith and Abigail White also getting on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Signal Box scored three of their goals in the first 25 minutes and led 4-1 at the break.
Although the hosts always looked comfortable, Shaldon did test the home goalkeeper on a few occasions.
Activate’s game at the University of Exeter was postponed.
Saltash United maintained their 100 per cent record in the Cornwall League East Division by trouncing Charlestown 15-1 away.
Dani Harper, Hayley Ranachan and Devon Simmonds all scored hat-tricks for the Ashes, with player-of-the-match Jade Bryan bagging two. Jazmine Hervin, Mia-Mae Lawrence, Jodie Billigton and Madeline Leppard also got on the scoresheet for Saltash, who led 8-1 at half-time.
The Ashes are the only unbeaten team left in the division. They currently sit second in the table, three points behind leaders Callington Town Reserves, who have played two games more.
Callington triumphed 3-0 away to Wadebridge on Sunday, with goals from Lauren Baker, Lisa Pearce and Rachel Finch.
Saltash Borough are in fourth place. The drew 1-1 away at Foxhole Stars on Sunday with a goal from the impressive Sophie Perrin.
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