ELLIE SARA scored a hat-trick at Home Park as Plymouth Argyle produced an impressive comeback to beat Gwalia United 4-3 in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division on Sunday.
The Pilgrims had gone 3-1 down after 48 minutes in the vital league fixture, but, in front of more than 500 supporters, they dug deep and snatched the victory two minutes from time.
“It was a dramatic game,” said Argyle manager Ryan Perks. “I think everyone was on the edge of their seats.
“I think we showed a bit of character and resilience after going 3-1 down to come back and get the three points. I couldn’t be happier.”
It was an important win for Argyle against a team just above them in the standings.
The Pilgrims do stay in the relegation zone, but they are now just two points off safety with two games in hand on the team just above them, Cheltenham Town, who they play next.
Argyle went behind after just 10 minutes when Cori Williams-Mills fired Gwalia ahead.
Sara did equalise for the Greens in the 31st minute after good play by Ella Stephens.
But Gwalia, who were previously known as Cardiff City, took a 2-1 half-time lead thanks to a strike by Ellie Sargent.
The Welsh visitors increased their lead to 3-1 straight after the interval with another goal from Williams-Mills.
It was not looking great for Argyle at that point, but a second goal from Sara in the 56th minute gave them hope.
And they completed their remarkable comeback in the final 10 minutes.
Charlotte Whitmore pulled them level in the 81st minute before Sara wrapped up the win two minutes from time after battling play by Georgie Wilson.
In the South West Women’s Premier Division, Marine Academy Plymouth stay in second place after they beat AEK Boco 4-2 at home on Sunday.
Marine have only lost one game this season and are just two points behind leaders Forest Green Rovers, with both sides having played the same number of games.
Amy Pridham, Beth Overton, Sam Drewery and Kelsey Blight scored Marine’s goals at Manadon on Sunday.
In South West Division One, Plympton and Saltash United continued their 100 per cent league starts to the season.
Leaders Plympton beat Bideford 8-1 away. Six of their goals came in the second half.
Isabelle Firth bagged five for Plympton, with Sam Metters, Charlotte Read and Lois Igalawuye also on target.
Saltash are also unbeaten in the division and they overcame Weston-super-Mare 3-1 at home. Nicola Champion, Olivia Lennox and Nicola Symons scored the Ashes’ goals.
In the Devon Women’s League South & West Division, Lakeside Athletic showed a clinical edge as they beat SB Oak Villa 3-2 at Weston Mill.
Oak Villa probably had more possession and territory but could not turn it into goals.
Lakeside scored with their first real effort on 14 minutes when Angel Goucher showed great athleticism to latch on to a ball and force it home.
Oak Villa had most of the territory for the rest of the half, but Lakeside doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Ruby Woodward scored from distance.
The home side did pull a goal back early in the second half, but Lakeside responded immediately with Goucher bagging another.
Oak Villa did score a long range effort in the 57th minute, but, despite pressing they could not equalise. Saskia Brisley and Faye Peffers scored their goals.
Leaders Horrabridge Rangers suffered their first league defeat of the season as they were beaten 3-0 away at mid-table Paignton Villa.
Third-placed Elm United overcame Hunters District 7-1 at home thanks to goals from Ella Parrott (2), Charlotte Rex (2), Abi Snell (2) and Isabella May.
Signal Box showed no mercy on Tavistock, beating them 22-0 away. Ella Pearce topped scored for Signal Box with five goals, but Erin Rumble was just behind with four. There were also hat-tricks for Melanie Firth and Addy Hitt, while Emma Guest, Olivia Jones and Phoebe White bagged two and Aimee Sharples was also on the scoresheet.
Elsewhere in the division, The Victory Pub were beaten 6-0 away at second-placed Shaldon Villa.
In the Cornwall Premier League Cup, Saltash Borough crushed Wadebridge 9-0 away. Rachel Finch and Abby Shapland both scored hat-tricks, while Lucy Borthwick, Samantha Burnham and Stacey Gill were also on the target.
All pictures are low resolution and are protected by copyright so should not be used without permission.