ARGYLE Ladies passed their dress-rehearsal for Thursday's County Cup final with a 6-0 drubbing of opponents Cullompton Rangers in the League.
Manager Rhys Sullivan opted for an attacking formation from the off, playing just three defenders in Chelsea Easton, Leanne Griffiths and Charlie Carter, to protect goalkeeper Michaela Phillips. Becky McMullin, Leah Brooks, Aoife Aherne, Becky Rose and Laura Perrett formed the midfield five with Rachel Javan and Tash Knapman employed as twin strikers. With Kate Hine unavailable, Aoife Aherne inherited the captains armband for the day.
Argyle began the match with a brisk breeze at their backs, and made their intentions clear from the outset, pushing forward at every opportunity. Indeed it took only seven minutes to make their mark when a move down the left wing found Javan on the ball.
She cut inside the box, rounded a defender and laid a nice pass back to Perrett who found the back of the net from 15 yards to open the scoring.
Just a few minutes later and the Pilgrims' lead was doubled when a decent Brooks' corner led to Rose pouncing on the second ball to fire home from close range.
The girls were now in full flow and on the 38 minute mark Javan made it 3-0; racing on to a trough ball to neatly lob the advancing 'keeper.
After the break, Cullompton began to show a little fight but in the end succumbed to another goal, with Knapman this time finding the net with her left-foot.
With the game now safe, and with Thursday's Cup Final in mind, Rhys was able to rest some players, and all three substitutes were utilised shortly after Tash's goal.
Fortune did not favour youngster Chloe Richards, however. Having come on as a substitute, she had to leave the field following a heavy challenge, leaving Argyle to finish the match with ten players .
But despite their disadvantage, the Pilgrims' kept going and found two more goals through Carter and Rose before the whistle.
Though this was a convincing victory over a below-par Cullompton side, the Pilgrims must not be complacent in the County Cup final, where they can expect a stiffer challenge from the same side on Thursday evening at Coach Road.
After the game Rhys Sullivan said, "I am reasonably happy with the performance today, considering we haven't played for a couple of weeks.
"Some aspects of our play were very pleasing, but as always there is room for improvement."
