Dawe previews trip to high-flying Hashtag

Argyle Women travel to Essex on Sunday to face a high-flying Hashtag United side in FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division action. 

The Tags currently sit second in the league, winning nine of their 13 games so far, whilst Argyle sit in 10th, one place above the relegation zone.  

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season at Home Park, the visitors came away as 5-0 victors but, since then, Argyle have picked up points in the league and have continued a strong run in the FAWNL Cup. 

Assistant head coach Jon Dawe knows the task for the Greens but believes confidence from previous performances and hard work can put Argyle in good stead on Sunday afternoon. 

“I think we have got to be positive,” Dawe told Argyle TV. “At the end of the day, we've won our last two matches. I know there was a massive break in between, but the wins against Watford and MK Dons stand us in good stead going into the weekend's fixture. 

“Confidence is massive in football, as we know. The girls need to take that positive mindset into the game and apply themselves in the same fashion that they have done of late. We'll give it a real good go. We'll get the overnight stay in the hotel and build in some analysis within that so it's fresh in the girls’ minds. Preparations will be the same as for any away trip this season.  

“We’re under no illusions as to how tough this challenge will be, but it's one that we've got to embrace. We’ve watched several of Hashtag's games back and obviously played against them earlier in the season at Home Park. They’re a very powerful and physical side with some very good players, and we're also aware of the strength they carry on set-pieces.  

“From the girls’ perspective, we've got to be very decisive, make sure we've got that hunger and desire to get the first contact when it comes into our box and build from there.”