PLYMOUTH Argyle and Marine Academy Plymouth both suffered late agony in their league matches at the weekend.
Argyle were beaten 3-1 at home by Gillingham in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division after the visitors scored two goals in the last seven minutes.
Gillingham had taken the lead in the opening minutes of the game, but Argyle hit back quickly with an impressive free-kick from Zoe Cunningham after she had been fouled on the edge of the box.
The rest of the first half was fairly even, with the sides going in at the break level at 1-1.
Gillingham hit the post after the interval before Argyle had a number of chances. Gabi Alphous, Jemma Rose and Emily Eaton all fired wide while Panagiota Papaioannou shot over the bar.
But it was the visitors that finished the strongest with two goals in two minutes from Amy Russ to take the three points.
Afterwards Argyle manager Ryan Perks said: “Frustrating day at the office. Controlled the game for large periods but again silly mistakes cost us. Need to be more resilient out of possession and have the work-rate and desire to win games.”
In the South West Women’s League Premier Division, Marine Academy Plymouth will still be wondering how they lost 2-1 to Royal Wootton Bassett at Ivybridge.
Marine had more territory, possession and chances but were unable to capitalise and the visitors stole the three points with a breakaway goal four minutes from time.
Marine started really well and they took the lead in the seventh minute when Sam Metters turned a good Sam Drewery corner.
Wootton Bassett had struggled to get out of their half early on but they hit the post on 11 minutes and the equalised four minutes later with a goal from Libby Davies.
Marine upped the pace again. Drewery had a goal ruled out for offside and the hosts had a good shout for a penalty turned down.
However, at the other end the Marine goalkeeper made a good saved just before the break.
In the second half chances came and went for Marine – Drewery hit the bar and Metters could not have been closer with an effort that just rolled the wrong side of the post after beating the goalkeeper.
But as the game went on the warning signs were there for Marine as Wootton Bassett hit the woodwork on a rare chance and then three minutes later they took the lead for the first time with Hannah Gulliver firing in from the left.
Marine pushed everyone up trying to find an equalising in added-on time but they could not find one.
In the South West League Western Division, Plymouth Argyle U23s enjoyed a 3-2 away with at Liverton.
Wensday Wise had given the Greens a 1-0 lead in the first half.
Beth Cowd scored a great 30-yard effort just after the break to put her side 2-0 up, but Liverton came back with goals from Hannah Drummond and Charlotte Dymond. However, a Rosie Shipp penalty secured the young Pilgrims the three points.
Argyle U23s sit second in the early table behind unbeaten Liskeard Athletic, who beat Saltash United 6-1 at Kimberley Stadium on Sunday.
Saltash did take the lead with a goal by Jazmine Hervin, but then Liskeard took control.
In-form Chloe Williams scored a hat-trick for the visitors to take her tally for the season to 12 in just four games. Ezme Wells, Grace O’Leary and Gemma Farley also scored for the Blues.
In the Devon Women’s League Western Division, Signal Box Oak Villa continued their good start to the season with a 6-2 home win over Plainmoor at Weston Mill.
Vicky Jasper scored a hat-trick for the hosts to go with further goals from Abigail White, Abigail Smith and Jessica Oaten as Villa made it three wins out of three to stay top of the table.
Lakeside, playing their opening league game, lost 6-1 away at Teignmouth, while the University of Plymouth went down 13-0 at home to a strong Torquay United second team.
In the Cornwall Women’s League Division One, Rachel Finch scored a hat-trick for Saltash United’s new development team, but it was not enough to prevent them going down 6-3 to Helston Athletic’s second string.
Meanwhile, Saltash Borough had a tough start to the season as they lost 5-0 away at Sticker.
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