PLYMOUTH Argyle are on course to progress in the FA Women’s National League Cup after two 5-1 wins in the space of four days.
The Pilgrims overcame lower league city rivals Marine Academy Plymouth away on Thursday night before repeating the 5-1 scoreline against Bridgwater United at Home Park on Sunday.
The home side went 3-0 up in the first half on Sunday, with Olivia Francis opening the scoring on 10 minutes at the back post before Phoebie Poole scored a penalty after Roisin Kivel was fouled in the box on 25 minutes. Imogen Crawford then added a stunning third with a long-range strike.
Crawford made it four after the interval with a shot from the edge of the box before lower league Bridgwater pulled one back courtesy of Connie Pengelly.
But the final word went to Argyle, with Charlotte Whitmore netting in the 79th minute.
Poole, Whitmore and Francis had also been on target four days earlier against Marine Academy, who had surprised the Pilgrims by taking a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute through Skye MacDonald-Brown.
But Argyle showed their higher league experience to come back. Poole levelled the contest before an own goal put the Pilgrims 2-1 up at the break.
Kivel fired in a third straight after the interval before Whitmore and Francis scored quick-fire goals late in the match.
Marine Academy’s hopes of progressing out of the group stages of the cup, were hit by suffering a 2-0 defeat to league rivals Bristol Rovers on Sunday. Laura Barrett and Rianne Bourne-Hallet scored for Rovers in a tight game.
Saltash United made a disappointing start to their South West Women’s League Premier Division season by losing 5-0 at home to Sherbourne Town.
The visitors did all the damage in the first half with goals from Imogen Miller (2), Harriet Johnston, Ellie Orritt and Sienna Trusson.
The Ashes were much better after the interval, but could not get on the scoresheet.
Plympton progressed into the next round of the Women’s FA Cup by hammering Bideford 12-0 at home on Sunday.
Isabelle Firth hit four for Plympton, who also had Lucy Grose netting a hat-trick. There were also goals for Lois Igalawuye (2), Bella Brown-Tunnell and Elsa Finnegan.
A last-gasp strike by Toni Allen secured Horrabridge Rangers a thrilling 4-3 home victory over newcomers Elm Fusion in the Devon Women’s League South & West Division.
Rangers had been 3-1 up with seven minutes to go, but Elm Fusion looked like they were going to go home with a share of the spoils with two late goals.
But in injury-time, Allen broke the offside trap and calmly slotted the ball past the Elm Fusion goalkeeper.
Elm Fusion had enjoyed the better of the opening period, but Horrabridge goalkeeper Zoe Stock produced a couple of top saves to keep them out.
And, against the run of play, Horrabridge opened the scoring with a stunning freekick by Jess Oaten.
But the visitors front line always look dangerous and 10 minutes before half-time they pulled level with a goal from Michelle McGuire.
After the interval, Rangers, runners-up for the past two seasons, went back in front when Kerry Gibbings got free in the box and slotted the ball home.
The home side were getting on top at this point and 11 minutes later Kirsty Jones made it 3-1 when she tapped in at the far post.
But Elm Fusion refused to give up and Stock produced a stunning save to deny them before their pressure did tell when Lauren Hewings scored at the far post.
Two minutes later Stock then produced another great save to deny McGuire on a one-on-one situation.
Elm Fusion had their tails up and four minutes later they did find an equaliser when former Argyle player Emily Mousley fired home.
But just when they thought they had picked up at least a point, Allen broke their with a last-gasp winner for Horrabridge.
There was also a thrilling game in the same division at Tor Bridge High, where newcomers Drake FC beat Elm United 6-4.
Molly Yeatman scored an opening day hat-trick for Drake, who also had Erin Rumble (2) and Amy Neale netting.
Maisie Godfrey, Mandy Cox, Ella Parrott and Mia-Mae Lawrence were on target for Elm United.
Hunter District got their season off to a fine start with an 8-3 home win over Tavistock.
Mollie Dring bagged five of Hunter’s goals, with Channon Hodge, Honey Miller and Bethany Liley also on target.
Plymouth Marjon were another team to be on fire in front of goal in the opening game of the season. They beat Lakeside Athletic 20-1 at the university complex.
Phoebe White scored six for Marjon, Samantha Cox got four, Beatriz Almeida three and Robyn Hearn 2. Freya Jackson, Amelia O’Connell and Estelle Hodges were also on the scoresheet for Marjons, while Neve Mitchell netted Lakeside’s consolation effort.
Elsewhere in the division, Plymouth True Blues were beaten 3-0 away in their first match in the league.
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