Derby Day for Ladies

ARGYLE Ladies continue their pre-season campaign on Thursday when they travel to take on Exeter City at Cullompton Rangers FC for a 7pm kick-off.

The Pilgrims have retained most of last season’s players and started their pre-season with a convincing 9-1 win against a Royal Navy Representative team, with Helen Bleazard knocking in four goals.

Argyle will be without Becky Dandridge, Ebony Dover and Kayley Lane, who are away on holiday, but include 16 year-old Beth Everson, who scored for the Development team in the game at Middlezoy Rovers. Also travelling is another promising youngster Kiara-Jade Robins, last season’s Development team Manager and players’ player of the season, and newcomer Holly Cole.

“We still have a number of players on trial and will be looking at them over the next couple of games,” said manager Dave Leonard.

“I have included Beth Everson, as she performed well for the Development team against Middlezoy. She's trained really well in our under-18s, who are the feeder for our Development team, which is proving to be very fruitful.

“We want to take 14 [players] and we thought it would be an ideal opportunity to give her a bit of experience.”

Also included in the squad are new signings Ellie Bishop and Danni Wyatt, who both played against the Royal Navy and Middlezoy Rovers.

“It's another workout, another fitness session,” said Leonard. “It will be a good test for our fringe players and a good test of fitness against an Exeter City side who are on a crest of a wave. It’s also nice to see another Devon team doing well (Exeter were last seasons South West League Premier Division champions).”

Next up for Argyle on Sunday is a visit to Bishops Lydeard, while the Development team are off to Cheltenham Town.

Argyle squad: Trialist in goal, Faye Ivall, Katie Middleton, Mollie Taylor, Helen Bleazard, Jessica Jones, Amber Pollock, Leah Burridge, Natasha Knapman, Danni Wyatt, Ellie Bishop, Beth Everson, Kiara Robins, Holly Cole.