PLYMOUTH Argyle will have taken encouragement from their performance in a narrow 1-0 defeat at second-placed Portsmouth on Sunday in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division.
The Greens more than matched their promotion-chasing opponents, but Pompey snatched the win with a goal eight minutes from time.
Both sides had good chances in the first half and towards the end of the opening period Portsmouth were awarded a penalty, but Argyle goalkeeper Jasmine Read managed to pull off a save from Ali Hall.
The Pilgrims had plenty of possession but just could not find the final ball.
Pompey’s set piece was always a weapon and in the 82nd minute they broke Argyle’s hearts when Jazz Younger scored following a corner.
Argyle pushed hard for an equaliser in the dying minutes but it just would not come.
Despite the loss, they stay in ninth-spot, two places and two points above the drop-zone.
The South West Women’s Western League match between Saltash United and Marine Academy Plymouth was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, as was Liskeard Athletic’s Cornwall Cup game at Foxhole.
In the Devon League Cup, Dionne Igalawuye scored a hat-trick as Plympton beat SB Oak Villa 4-1 in terrible weather at Saltmill.
There was little between the sides for the first half, but Igalawuye was always a threat for Plympton down the left and scored a stunning long-range effort just before half-time.
Alysia-Paige Roberts had scored Oak Villa’s goal on 28 minutes.
Plympton’s other goal came from Emily Hollister.
There was not much luck for the other Plymouth sides in the Devon League Cup.
Lakeside Athletic were beaten 4-2 away at Plainmoor. Victoria Simpson scored both Lakeside’s goals.
Meanwhile, Hunters District were beaten 12-0 at home by Juventus Devon Bianconer.
In the Cornwall Women’s League Division One, Saltash Borough were beaten 5-2 away at FXSU. Borough had travelled with just 11 players and then lost two due to injury but really battled hard.
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