PLYMOUTH Argyle suffered injury-time frustration as they had to settle for a draw with fellow strugglers Billericay Town at Home Park on Sunday in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division.
Argyle were leading 2-1 and looking like they would pick up a valuable three points to move further clear of the relegation zone, but Billericay found an equaliser in the third minute of added-on time.
Despite the draw, Argyle stay out of the bottom two and are two points ahead of 11th-placed Billericay with a game in hand.
The Pilgrims took the lead in the 25th minute when Charlotte Whitmore fired in after a goal-mouth scramble.
Argyle had further chances to score in front of more than 800 supporters who had brave the horrible weather but just could not take them.
And their visitors pulled level in the 36th minute when Ella Houghton scored following a corner, which Argyle initially cleared, only for the ball to fall to Billericay.
The home side did start the second half strongly and had a number of chances, including from player-of-the-match Lula James.
Yet at the other end, Caitlin Smith was called on to make a great block in the 52nd minute before three minutes later Argyle did go back in front when Ella Sara scored.
The Pilgrims were looking like there were going to hold on to their lead until Billericay’s late equaliser.
In the South West Women’s League Premier Division, leaders Marine Academy Plymouth continued their good form with a 3-0 away victory at Poole Town.
Captain Samantha Drewery netted twice for the visitors, with Kelsey Blight also bagging a goal.
In South West Division One, title-chasing Saltash United enjoyed a convincing 10-2 home victory over Bideford Town.
Nicola Champion, Liv Lennox and Yasmin Franklin both netted twice for the Ashes, who also had Morgan Friend, Olivia Ramsey, Beth Prouse and Evelyn Bray on the scoresheet.
In the same division, leaders Plympton’s match away at Sticker was postponed due to the weather, which did impact the weekend’s women’s football programme across the divisions.
In the Devon Women’s League South & West Division, Lakeside Athletic triumphed 7-4 in an entertaining home game with the improving Hunters District.
Angel Goucher scored four of Lakeside’s goals, with Megan Appleby, Lily Daw and Jamie-Leigh Blight also on target for the home side.
In the Cornwall Women’s League, Saltash Borough were convincing 8-2 winners over FXSU at Saltmill.
Harriet Howell bagged a hat-trick for Borough, who also had Sam Burnham, Chloe Moore, Jodie Randall and Abby Shapland on target.