Champions of Devon

ARGYLE Ladies held off a spirited fightback from Buckland Athletic to win 3-2 and retain the Devon Senior Cup on Friday night.

The Greens had control of the tie early on at Coach Road, when in-form Kayley Lane struck past the Buckland ‘keeper to send the Pilgrims into the lead on nine minutes. Heartened by the early opener, Argyle had a penalty claim turned town a few minutes later as they pressed for a second.

No matter, though, as two goals in three minutes for striker Natasha Knapman looked to have put the game out of reach with barely 20 minutes on the clock.

The Pilgrims were more than happy to see the game out with their three-goal cushion in-tact, and were looking very comfortable until a moment of magic from Buckland’s Leah Brooks jump-started the second-half. Brooks’ direct free-kick from the edge of the area flew in off the crossbar to make it 3-1 with 20 minutes left to play, launching an unlikely comeback in the process.

Buckland pulled a further goal back in stoppage time. Despite giving Argyle a fright, it was not enough to prevent the Pilgrims from seeing out the remaining minutes to be crowned champions of Devon.