PLYMOUTH Argyle paid a heavy price for an early red card as they were beaten 5-0 away by Oxford United in the FA National League Southern Premier Division on Sunday.
The game was 0-0 when the Pilgrims had Lucy Hack sent off in the 24th minute for a second yellow card.
Oxford took the lead four minutes later when Isabelle Cook netted before Taome Oliver scored five minutes before half-time to give the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break.
Argyle, who handed a debut to England age group international Mia Endacott, battle hard in heavy rain but could not stop Oxford scoring three quick second-half goals courtesy of Zoe Barratt, Cook and Sarah King.
Despite the defeat, the Pilgrims stay in ninth spot.
Marine Academy Plymouth had a good 4-1 home win over Bishops Lydeard in the South West Women’s Premier Division.
Samantha Drewery, Rebekah Rose, Fedra Leal an Hannah Lindsey netted their goals in a match played in torrential rain at Manadon.
Marine Academy have won two of their opening three matches since promotion to sit fourth in the early standings.
Elsewhere in that division, Liskeard Athletic had an afternoon to forget as they were beaten 5-0 at home by Pucklechurch.
In the South West Western Division, Saltash United claimed their first win of the season in style by overcoming Feniton 4-2 at home.
Yasmin Franklin, Emily Mousley, Olivia Ramsey and Katie Hengle scored the Ashes’ goals in the wet conditions.
Plympton are the early leaders of the Devon Premier Division after they beat Fremington 3-0 away.
Charley Putman fired them ahead in the 15th minute before she bagged another midway through the second half. Daisy Canning then completed the scoring five minutes from time.
Plympton have won two and drawn one of their opening three league games.
In the Devon South & West Division, Tavistock finally made their league debut, but it was not quite an afternoon to remember as they lost 11-0 to Signal Box in heavy rain at Langsford Park.
Signal Box took the lead in the 17th minute and never looked back, despite some good saves from the Tavistock goalkeeper. They were 5-0 up at half-time and did not let up in the second period.
Maya Felgate led the way for Signal Box with four goals, while Neve Mitchell and Catrin Richard both bagged two. Their other goals came from Melanie Finch, Ellie Pearce and Bethan Farrow.
Signal Box Oak Villa also had a big win in the Devon South & West Division. They overcame Shaldon Villa 10-1 at Weston Mill.
Alysia-Paige Roberts fired them ahead after just five minutes before Rachel Finch and Ella Stevens added further goals before half-time.
After the interval, Oak Villa added seven more courtesy of another from Finch, two from Katelyn Berry and Jamie-Leigh Blight and Olivia Lennox and Shania Fenlon.
Hunters District had another tough afternoon, going down 16-0 at home to Paignton Villa.
In Cornwall League Division One, Abby Shapland scored both Saltash Borough’s goals as they beat Wadebridge 2-0 at Saltmill.
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