ARGYLE Ladies got their season underway with a convincing 6 - 0 hammering of Westcountry rivals Swindon Town at Oak Villa on Sunday.
They made their intentions clear from the start, and indeed Laura Gough netted the first goal in only the second minute.
Following the opening goal, Argyle were on the front foot and worked the ball around the park with great confidence, keeping the visitors at full stretch.
After efforts on goal from Laura Perrett and Kate Hine, Argyle were awarded a free-kick around the penalty spot for a pass back.
As soon as Katie Middleton teed up the ball there weas only going to be one outcome, the ball penetrating the wall and nestling in the corner of the net for 2-0 lead on 13 minutes.
Argyle continued to press, with the pace and penetration of Gough and Tash Knapman working the channels and always available.
Attempts on goal were coming at regular intervals, Tash not quite getting to a cross from Perrett, the ball skiming her forehead and going just wide, and Gough shooting over.
The defence were caught napping when Swindon burst though, their player heading just wide in the 40th minute, and for a few minutes enjoyed some success as the Argyle defence seemed slow to react at times.
Argyle were well worth their half time lead however, but it could and should have been more, such was their superiority.
On the resumption, the home side continued to press, and Goughy notched her second with a neat finish, and a couple of minutes later lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box, to put the game beyond Swindon at 4 - 0 in only 55 minutes and to claim her first hat trick of the season.
A minute or two later and Argyle were awarded a penalty for a push in the box. Tash was given the honour on her birthday, and unleashed a viscious shot that made the keeper wince with pain as she got a hand to the ball on its way into the roof of the net .
Midway through the half and there was an unsavoury moment when a Swindon player lashed out in frustration and kicked Carmen Thornton in the side of the face as she was kneeling. The Referees assistant saw the incident thankfully, and a red card was shown to the offending player.
In the 78th minute Argyle scored the goal of the game. The ball was worked out to the left wing, and Rachel Javan instinctively crossed first time for Perrett to head home from eight yards to complete the scoring.
The season is up and running, and there was much to admire in this game from the girls.
With thanks to Colin Fenn
