AN injury-time penalty by Ellie Sara secured Plymouth Argyle their first league win of the season as they edged out Cheltenham Town 3-2 at Coach Road.
Sara scored all three of the Pilgrims’ goals in the FA National League Southern Premier Division match.
It was a much-needed win for Argyle after heavy defeats to Ipswich Town and Billericay in their opening two league fixtures.
The three points they collected has moved them up three places to ninth.
Sara had fired them ahead in the 12th minute with a fine effort into the top corner.
However, Phoebie Poole equalised for Cheltenham in the 28th minute and it stayed at 1-1 until the 73rd minute when Sara powered a shot in the from the edge of the area.
But yet again Cheltenham responded and Emily Owen headed them level nine minutes from time.
Rebecca Dandridge hit the ball before deep into injury-time she was brought down following a Jemma Rose free-kick and the referee awarded a penalty. Despite the pressure, Sara calmly slotted it home much to the delight of her team-mates.
There was disappointment for Marine Academy Plymouth in the South West Premier League as they went down 5-2 away at Pucklechurch Sports.
Marine Academy paid for poor first half, where they trailed 4-1. Rosie Woodward scored both of their goals in their first away trip of the season. They had opened their campaign the week before with a 4-2 home win over St Austell.
Liskeard Athletic enjoyed a 4-1 victory over St Austell away on Sunday in the same division.
St Austell actually took the lead but Ellie Bishop equalised just before the break.
And after the interval Sam Metters, Tiana Campbell and Jasmine Allen all netted to give Liskeard a comfortable first win of the season.
Western Division side Saltash United were in FA Cup first round qualifying action and they progressed by edging out home club Bodmin Town on penalties.
The Ashes had been 2-0 up but Bodmin pulled level and took the tie to a shoot-out where the visitors kept their nerve to win 4-2.
Also in the FA Cup Saltash Borough beat Westexe Park Rangers thanks to goals by Megan Seymour, Abby Shapland and Molly Gill.
In the Devon League Premier Division, Plympton enjoyed a 2-0 home victory over Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police. Lois Igalawuye and Charley Putman netted for Plympton, who drew their opening game.
In Devon League South/West, newcomers Horrabridge Rangers secured their first league point with a 3-3 home draw with Paignton Villa.
Horrabridge got the perfect start with a goal in the opening two minutes but 15 minutes later Paignton equalised. It stayed at 1-1 until half-time.
Paignton started the second half better and went ahead before they also hit the post and forced a good save out of the home goalkeeper.
However, 12 minutes from time Horrabridge pulled level and then it got better for them six minutes later when they added a third after a long hopeful ball caught out the Paignton defence.
But almost instantly the visitors equalised again. Horrabridge did have a great chance to score in injury-time following a goal-mouth scramble but they could not force it home.
Horrabridge’s goals came from Kerry Wrightson, Katie Cox and Lessa Grainger.
In the same division, fellow newcomers Elm United made it two wins out of two with a 9-0 home success over Hunters District at Tor Bridge Sports Centre.
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