MARINE Academy Plymouth secured their first point in the FA Women’s National League Cup on Sunday when they drew 1-1 at home with Torquay United.
In their opening cup match, Marine had narrowly lost 2-1 to higher league Plymouth Argyle.
It did look like they were going to claim the win on Sunday after captain Samantha Drewery had fired them ahead with a penalty in the 61st minute.
But just seven minutes from time, Torquay equalised courtesy of Sarah Stacey.
In the same group, Plymouth Argyle were beaten 2-0 away by Bridgwater United.
The hosts scored after just one minute when Zoe Watkins fired them ahead and they doubled their lead just before the break courtesy of Megan Jarvis.
The Pilgrims did try their best to get back into the game in the second period, but they were unable to find the back of the net.
In the Women’s FA Cup first round qualifying, Signal Box Frankfort progressed by beating Kilkhampton 1-0 at home courtesy of an own goal.
But there was disappointment for Plympton who were knocked out of the competition by higher league Sticker, who won 5-3 at Manadon. Libby Williams scored twice and Olivia Lennox added Plympton’s other.
In the Devon Women’s League West Division, Tavistock enjoyed a dream start to the season by beating newcomers FC Galacticos 13-1.
It was their biggest ever league victory and shows how much they have progressed from their first season when they were regularly suffering double figure defeats.
The way Tavistock have stuck at it over the past three seasons will give Galacticos encouragement as entering the league is a big step.
The visitors did get the perfect start with Jessica Jennings scoring after just 45 seconds.
But then Tavistock got into their game and, with Jodie Shipton pulling the strings for them, they scored at regular intervals.
They led 7-1 at the break and finished the game strongly with five goals in the final 20 minutes.
Megan Williams topped scored for Tavistock with four, while Shipton and Kim Benny both grabbed hat-tricks. Shipton’s included a stunning effort in the first half and a great diving header at the far post in the second.
There were also two goals for Louise McLeod, while captain Kirsty Hughes also got in on the act with a long-range strike late on.
Elburton Villa, another new team in the league, were beaten 5-2 at home by Elm Fusion.
Kyla Scannell and Abigail White scored for Elburton, with Abigail Hyndman netting a hat-trick for Elm Fusion to go with further goals from Maise Lovell and Hayley Ranachan.
Drake FC got their second season in the league underway with a 4-1 victory over city rivals Hunter District. Eleanor Cranch (2), Jaz Bonney and Erin Rumble scored for Drake.
Horrabridge Rangers opened their campaign with a 2-1 home victory over newcomers Buckland Athletic, while the University of Plymouth beat Plymouth True Blues 4-0 at home and Lakeside Athletic went down 2-0 away at Plainmoor.
In the Cornwall League Premier Division, Callington Town were beaten 9-2 at home by Bodmin, while in Division Two, Saltash United beat St Buryan 11-0.
It was supposed to be Saltash United’s development team playing in the bottom division of the Cornwall League, but just before the season started the Ashes withdrew their first team from the South West Women’s Premier Division.
In a statement the club said: “It is with great disappointment that Saltash United AFC has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the South West Regional Women’s Football League.
“Over recent times, the club has faced ongoing challenges in maintaining a sufficient number of available players to sustainably fulfil our fixtures and commitments into this season. In addition, the increasing financial costs associated with running the team have placed significant pressure on the club’s resources.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. We have explored a number of options in an effort to continue competing in the South West Regional Women’s Football League, but unfortunately the combination of player shortages and financial constraints means that withdrawal is the most responsible course of action at this time.
“While the senior side will no longer compete in the South West Regional Women’s Football League, we are pleased to confirm that our development team will continue to operate and compete in the Cornwall Women’s Football League. This will allow us to maintain a pathway for players, continue supporting the growth of women’s football locally, and provide a platform for rebuilding towards the future.”
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