PLYMOUTH Argyle’s FA Cup adventure came to an end at the fourth round stage on Sunday as they were beaten 6-0 by Championship side Charlton Athletic at Home Park.
The Pilgrims, who went into the cup tie on the back of three straight National League Southern Premier Division wins, fought hard and were on level terms until the 58th minute.
But once Charlton got in front there was no stopping them.
Argyle’s manager Ryan Perks, though, was proud of the way his team battled against their higher league, full-time opponents.
“I was proud of the girls,” said Perks. “They put in a good shift.
“Charlton are a very good side, but for 60 minutes we pushed them and created a few chances ourselves, but we just ran out of legs a bit.”
Perks has now urged his team to turn their attention to trying to stay in the National Southern Premier Division.
“They (the team) were disappointed in the changing rooms, but we have bigger things to worry about and we’re just going to start focussing on the league.”
Playing at Home Park, Argyle settled well and frustrated Charlton, while Amber Pollock and Gabi Alphous kept the visitors on their toes at the back.
Pollock and Alphous both had half chances before Argyle keeper Poppy Soper made a fine save at the other end.
The match was all-square at half-time, but Charlton, who turned fully professional last summer, upped their game in the second period.
Soper made two good saves before Beth Rowe fired the Addicks ahead in the 58th minute.
Thy visitors then scored two goals in three minutes courtesy of Jarja Fox and Lois Roche to take control of the game. Katie Robinson added their fourth before Vyan Sampson and Mia Ross added further goals in the final seven minutes.
In the South West Women’s Premier Division, Marine Academy Plymouth narrowly lost 2-1 away at third-placed Torquay United. Samantha Drewery scored Marine’s only goal in south Devon.
It was the second time this season Torquay had edged out Marine by just one goal, with the Gulls winning 3-2 at Ivybridge in October.
In the South West League Western Division, Saltash United moved off the foot of the table after an impressive 2-1 away victory at third-placed Helston. Dee Newman and Devon Simmonds scored the Ashes’ goals.
In the Devon Women’s League Western Division, Activate moved six points clear at the top of the table after beating second-placed Torquay United 3-0 away.
Wensday Wise, Amy Wise and Becky McMullin scored Activate’s goals.
In the Cornwall Women’s League Division One, there were wins for both Saltash United Development and Saltash Borough.
United triumphed 4-1 at home to Mousehole thanks to goals by Rebecca Kench, Rachel Finch, Mia George and Maise Lovell.
Borough, meanwhile, triumphed 12-1 at home against Callington Town. Borough did the main damage in the second half. Callington, though, did battle hard and Harriet Howell scored the goal of the game in the first half for the visitors.
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