Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 3 Argyle 0

After the euphoria of reaching the Devon Cup Final last week, it was back to reality for Argyle Ladies, who lost 3-0 at Tottenham Hotspur.

Argyle made the long trip to London with just eleven players. Despite a battling performance, the Pilgrims ultimately came away with a 3-0 defeat that sees them remain rooted to the foot of the FA Premier League table with games running out and the relegation trap door widening even further.

The Argyle defence came under pressure from the first whistle, and Spurs took a third minute lead when Avilla Bergin was on hand to steer home Bianca Baptiste’s low cross at the near post.

A combination of some desperate defending and smart goalkeeping from Rebecca Kyle kept Tottenham at bay until the 22nd minute when they increased their lead courtesy of a wonder strike from Bergin.

Argyle slowly got themselves into the game and created one or two opportunities of their own with debutante Summer Taylor and Ezme Wells both going close as the home side took their 2-0 lead into the break.

Argyle gave as good as they got in the opening exchanges in the second half and almost reduced the arrears on the hour when Wells saw her long-range free-kick cannon back off the crossbar.

As the half wore on Tottenham’s domination began to increase again and Kyle was called upon to make two good saves from Baptiste and Wendy Martin respectively.

The home side’s third goal came in the 75th minute. Argyle’s Ellana Moseley lost possession on the halfway line, and Bergin sent Wendy Martin racing clear to coolly slot the ball home.

Argyle battled on gamely until the final whistle without really threatening to grab a consolation goal and despite a 10 -15 minute spell of Argyle pressure at the start of the second half, this was a comfortable victory for the home side.

There are now just seven games left for Argyle to save themselves from relegation, five of them at home; with fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers to come next week in what will ultimately be proverbial relegation six pointer.