Argyle exited the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, after suffering an agonising 2-1 defeat to Oxford United.
Argyle led at half-time via an Ellie Noble penalty, but were reduced to ten players in controversial style early in the second half, with Olivia Francis sent off for alleged violent conduct.
It looked like Argyle might see it out, but Ruby Sealey equalised for Oxford with three minutes of the 90 remaining, and Emma Thompson’s injury-time winner gave United their spot in round four.
Argyle Head Coach Marie Hourihan made two changes to her starting line-up that faced Hashtag United in Essex the previous weekend - Charlotte Whitmore and Ella Stephens were replaced by Francis and Katie Wilson.
Tianna Teisar had an early shot fly over the bar but, just five minutes later, the Welsh forward redeemed herself, winning a penalty after being shoved in the back inside the area.
Noble, a product of the Oxford Academy, stood with ball in hand over the spot, taking deep and long breaths before firing the important spot kick – and it paid off, as she gave Argyle the lead just a quarter-of-an-hour into the tie.
For the remainder of the half, continued attacking pressure and possession-based football gave the Greens opportunities in front of goal, but they were unable to capitalise and headed into the break with the one-goal advantage.
The opening minutes of the second half essentially defined the game. Francis was ruled to have dragged Oxford goalkeeper Bethany-May Wookey to the ground, high on the body, and was shown a straight red card. It seemed a very harsh call.
In a game of few chances, the next 20 minutes were full of substitutions. Hourihan turned to her bench, bringing on Whitmore, Stephens, and Paris Dalton, hoping the changes and shape shift could help her 10-person side come away with an important result.
The pressure, however, just seemed to be too much. Oxford came close and hit the bar twice through a long-range Holly Manders strike and goalmouth scramble, but they found what was needed to equalise three minutes from time.
Sealey headed a cross home, with the crowd roaring as the ball hit the net, and then, in added time, Thompson’s finish sealed the victory for the Oxfordshire side.
Argyle: 1 Hermione Cull, 3 Phoebe Hampson, 6 Layla Proctor, 11 Roisin Kivel (capt), 14 Katie Wilson, 15 Tamara Wilcock (7 Charlotte Whitmore, 59), 18 Caitlin Smith, 19 Ellie Noble (17 Paris Dalton, 70), 23 Olivia Francis, 24 Tianna Teisar (16 Ella Stephens, 59), 26 Arabella Suttie. Substitutes: 21 Eilish Brogan (gk), 5 Giota Papaioannou, 29 Chloe Ingrouille, 30 Shana Dolbel.
Goal: Noble 15
Oxford United: 1 Bethany-May Wookey, 2 Nicola Gibson (11 Ruby Sealey, 69), 3 Shelly Provan (5 Naomi Bedeau, 80), 4 Kate Wiseman, 6 Riva Casley (capt), 7 Nicole Barrett, 10 Emma Thompson, 12 Shaunna Jenkins (20 Lucy Trinder, 80), 18 Grace Palmer, 21 Maisy Barker, 30 Holly Manders. Substitutes: 13 Maddison Millington-Stanbury, 8 Jenna Legg, 15 Ellie-Mae Richardson.
Goals: Sealey 87, Thompson 90+4
