PLYMOUTH Argyle moved out of the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division relegation zone with a crucial 2-1 victory over bottom side Milton Keynes Dons at Home Park on Sunday.
Two goals in the space of three first half minutes were enough for the Pilgrims to start 2025 with three vital points.
After a scrappy opening, Argyle took the lead in the 22nd minute when Ella Stephens fired in from long-range.
And almost from the restart, the home side won a corner and Charlotte Whitmore picked out Taya Pomfret at the far post and she headed the ball down and into the net.
Fern Orchard did have the ball in the back of the net at the start of the second half, but it was ruled out for offside and eventually the Dons started to get into the game.
The visitors set up a nervous final 12 minutes for Argyle after they pulled a goal back courtesy of Mollie Knox in the 78th minute. However, the Greens were able to hold on.
In the South West Women’s Premier Division, leaders Marine Academy Plymouth had to battle hard to secure a 1-0 home win over Frampton Rangers, who had started the day in fifth.
Both goalkeepers had to make good saves in the first half and it looked like the sides might go in at the break level at 0-0.
However, on the stroke of half-time, Marine Academy found a breakthrough when Carmen Morison, who had switched wings only minutes before, fired in a loose ball in the area.
Marine Academy had the better of the second half but could not add a second goal and Frampton always looked dangerous on the counterattack. However, Marine did enough to pick up another three points.
Unbeaten Plympton stay top of South West Division One South after they overcame third placed Yeovil Town 4-3 away.
Sam Metters fired in two goals for Plympton, with Elsa Finnegan and Dionne Igalawuye also on the scoresheet.
Plympton have won 10 out of 10 of their matches so far this season and are 11 points clear at the top.
However, Saltash are also unbeaten, but they have only played six league games. Their match against Helston was one a many that fell foul of the wet weather at the weekend.
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