PLYMOUTH Argyle boosted their hopes of staying in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division by beating Keynsham 5-0 at Manadon on Sunday.
It was the third time this season the Pilgrims had scored five against Keynsham, having beaten them 5-1 away in the league at the start of the campaign and also beaten them 5-3 in the cup in November.
Sunday’s victory – their biggest in the division this season – has seen them leapfrog above Keynsham in the table and to within touching distance of safety.
They are now only in the relegation zone on points difference and have two games in hand on Milton Keynes Dons, who sit just above them in the standings.
The Pilgrims dominated Sunday’s match but they had to wait until the final 30 minutes for their dominance to show.
They had a host of chances early on and twice hit the woodwork, while the Keynsham goalkeeper made a number of good saves.
However, just before half-time Argyle’s pressure eventually told when Kayley Lane fired home after the visiting goalkeeper dropped the ball under pressure from Natasha Knapman.
The Pilgrims continued to have chances in the second half but had to wait until the 62nd minute to finally get a second goal when captain Zoe Cunningham scored with a 25-yard free-kick.
That was quickly followed by a goal by Knapman, who headed in a good cross from substitute Amber Pollock.
Youngster Mari Ward then scored twice within two minutes near the end of the game to seal a comfortable three points.
In the South West League Premier Division, Marine Academy Plymouth battled hard away at fourth-placed St Austell, but ended up losing 2-0 with Charlotte Whitmore scoring a goal in each half for the Cornish club.
In the South West Western Division, Plymouth Argyle U23s stayed three points clear at the top of the table by edging out Liskeard Athletic 3-2 in a hard-fought game at Callington.
The young Pilgrims side led 1-0 at half-time before Liskeard pulled level only for the visitors to responded and go 3-1 ahead before the Cornish club set up a good ending.
Jasmine Allen, Wensday Wise and Emily Mousley scored Argyle’s goals, with Chloe Williams and Samantha Reid netting for Liskeard.
In the Devon Women’s League Western Division, Activate moved yet another step closer to securing the title after beating city rivals Signal Box Oak Villa 5-2 at Devonport High School for Boys.
Chelsea Semmens bagged a hat-trick of for Activate, with Angela Heard netting their other two goals.
Meanwhile in the Cornwall Women’s League Division One, Saltash United enjoyed a 3-2 home victory over Bude. Rachel Finch put in a player of the match performance with two goals, with Hayley Ranachan claiming Saltash’s other.