Argyle picked up three points on Sunday afternoon in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division with a 1-0 win over Oxford United away from home.
Arabella Suttie bundled the ball home in the 39th minute, after Ellie Noble’s free-kick was pushed onto the bar, and it turned out to be the deciding goal in the clash in Oxfordshire.
Defensive efforts and last-gasp clearances from all in green helped Argyle preserve their lead, hold a clean sheet, and claim an impressive victory at The MGroup Stadium.
After the game, Head Coach Marie Hourihan shared her delight with her side’s performance on the road against a familiar foe, who Argyle played just a week ago in a League Cup victory at Home Park.
“It's always difficult playing the same team back-to-back,” Hourihan told Argyle TV. “Last week, it was two very different halves for us, so it was about taking a lot of the positives out of the second half and learning from last week. Our start had to be a lot better, and I thought that was certainly evident today. I thought, in the first half, we were outstanding.
“We didn't allow them to settle into the game, and our distances in the press were so much better. I thought we won the ball well, got into some good areas, and created some good opportunities. We potentially could have scored some more goals, but I was delighted to go into half-time 1-0 up.
“The team played with a lot of control, but also a lot of authority, which was really pleasing for me to see. This is a difficult venue to come to, and Oxford have some strong players, especially in the middle of the pitch, and we managed that really well.
“I'm a purist, and want us to have and dominate the ball, but there are times where you’ve got to tough it out and show a bit of grit and resiliency, and I think we saw all sides of that from us today.
“That second-half game management, especially the last 10 minutes, was great, and we frustrated them really well. The most pleasing thing for me is we've come away with a clean sheet and got the three points.
“The starters, finishers; everybody was excellent. Even the players that didn't come on the pitch, in terms of their attention this week to improve on the areas that we knew that we could be better at from last weekend, were superb.
“I'm really happy with the squad players that we've got. I think the appetite and the desire to really go and see how far we can push this season is a really pleasing thing for me. Hopefully, this victory, in coming to a difficult venue and getting the three points, builds even more confidence.”
