THE Argyle Ladies continued their free-scoring form with a 5-0 thumping of Swindon Town.
Goals from Tash Knapman, Rachel Javen and Charlie Carter a brace for Aoife Aherne secured the points at a freezing cold Nursted Road, home to Devizes Town FC.
Nat Bavister was a late withdrawal due to illness, so this gave an opportunity for returning player Becky McMullin to join up with the squad.
Michaela Phillips started in goal, Chelsea Easton with Charlie Carter, Kate Hine (c) and Leanne Griffiths making up the back four. In midfield were Aoife Aherne, Becky Rose, Leah Brooks, Sophie Drake and Laura Perrett.
Striker Tash Knapman was deployed as the lone striker with Rachel Javan, Rhianne Parsons and Becky McMullin all on the bench.
It took just a couple of minutes for the Pilgrim's to make their intentions clear, Tash Knapman getting a shot on goal, but firing narrowly wide.
Indeed it took 24 minutes for the breakthrough, with Aoife Aherne applying the finishing touch following good build up through the midfield.
With an overwhelming percentage of possession they really should have made more of the many opportunities that came their way. Corner kicks were frequent , but the deliveries left room for improvement on several occasions.
Michaela Phillips' biggest worry in the Argyle goal was how she was going to keep warm in the cool breeze blowing across the pitch. The half-time whistle came with the score at 1 - 0 .
The half-time talk appeared to have the desired effect, with the girls looking much sharper.
Two more goals in the first ten minutes from Aherne and Knapman gave the scoreline a more realistic appearance.
To freshen things up further, manager Rhys Sullivan made a double substitution as Laura Perrett and Sophie Drake gave way to Rachel Javan and Becky McMullin .
Both players looked lively and pacy as Argyle pushed home their superiority even further against a tiring and overworked Swindon defence.
Two further goals followed in the final ten minutes from Rachel Javan and defender Charlie Carter, who struck a sweetly timed shot from twenty yards to beat the keeper to her left side.
All in all 5 - 0 was a satisfying result, but might have been much more impressive with more decisive final passes and finishing.
It does move the girls up to 4th spot in the league, and with important matches to come they may still have a say in the championship.
The Ladies next match is against high-flying Havant & Waterlooville at Plymouth Parkway's Bolitho Park on Sunday, February 28, kick-off 2pm.
With thanks to Colin Fenn
