PLYMOUTH Argyle’s wait for a home win continues as they were beaten 5-0 by Oxford United at Manadon on Sunday in the Women’s FA Premier League Southern Division.
The Pilgrims had been hoping to build on last week’s first win of the season away at Keynsham Town.
But Oxford, who have only lost one of their opening five games, proved too strong on the day, scoring twice in the first half and three times after the break.
Beth Lumsden got a hat-trick for Oxford, who had Carly Johns getting their other two goals.
The Pilgrims did include former England defender Jemma Rose in their team.
Rose, who started her career at Argyle before going on to impress in the Super League for Bristol and Arsenal, has re-signed for the Pilgrims after coming out of retirement.
There was also disappointment for Marine Academy Plymouth, who opened their South West Women’s League Premier Division campaign with a 5-1 home defeat to Sherborne Town.
Marine were only 2-1 down at the break with Sam Drewery netting their goal.
Both goalkeepers made some good saves but in closing stages of the contest Marine tired and Sherborne took full advantage.
In the South West Women’s Western Division, league newcomers Saltash United showed good fighting spirit to twice come from behind to earn a 2-2 with Plymouth Argyle U23s at Kimberley Stadium.
Argyle, who included the highly-experienced Katie Middleton in the heart of their defence, took the lead on five minutes with a long-range effort from Wensday Wise.
The Ashes did have the ball in the back of the next two minutes later but the whistle had already gone so it was disallowed.
But they did finally pull level in the 36th minute when former Argyle player Nicola Champion showed calmness in front of goal when put through with just the goalkeeper to beat.
However, Saltash were level for just one minute as Middleton put in a great long range pass to find Katelyn Bell, who beat the offside track to fire home from the right.
Saltash tried lots of different ways to try and get back into the match and, with just 10 minutes to go, they finally found a way to break down Argyle’s defence, with Hayley Ranachan firing home to secure a point for them.
In the same division, Liskeard Athletic beat Helson 5-4 at home in a thrilling contest. Ezme Wells and Chloe Williams both netted twice for Liskeard, who also had Amy Hemingway on the scoresheet.
In the Devon Women’s League Western Division, Activate and Signal Box Oak Villa both had big opening day wins.
Activate triumphed 8-0 away at Plainmoor Ladies with Heidi Davies and Stephanie Warren both scoring four apiece.
Meanwhile, Victoria Jasper scored a hat-trick as Signal Box Oak Villa enjoyed a 5-1 home win over Teignmouth Ladies. Megan Appleby and Abigail White scored Villa’s other goals.