Argyle Women continued their strong start to the 2025/26 FAWNL Southern Premier Division season on Sunday, with a 4-0 win against Lewes.
Despite being on the road and playing at the tricky Dripping Pan, the Pilgrims dominated from the opening whistle and came away as victors thanks to goals from Ellie Noble, Tianna Teisar and Phoebie Poole, all coming after the goalscoring began with an own goal.
Head Coach Marie Hourihan was delighted with her side’s performance in East Sussex – inflicting Lewes’ first home defeat in over a year - and credited the immediate response after a tough draw with AFC Wimbledon the prior week.
“Off the back of last weekend, where we were bitterly disappointed, we really wanted to respond and make a statement today,” Hourihan told Argyle TV. “I really feel, from minute one, we were excellent both with and without the ball. We created multiple opportunities and were ruthless in those crucial moments because there were periods in the game where we were really on top, and we made that count.
“Heading into half-time two goals up, it's always a dangerous scoreline, and we needed to manage that next window of 10 minutes.
“Lewes did come out and were aggressive to try and get back in the game, but I thought we rode that out really well, and then we showed our real quality when the game opened up. I think the intent was there not just on the ball, but the aggression. As soon as the ball got turned over, we went to win it back, and I thought our counter press was excellent today.
“The determination, energy, and intensity really allowed us to take control of the game, and then I thought our quality really shone through. At times, our passages of play were excellent, and we thought we really stretched Lewes. I thought at times they were clearly struggling with what we were doing.
“It was a big team effort. When we are out of possession, we've got a clear structure in what we want to do. That's by a lot of hard work, and not just players, but staff as well, in making sure that we execute the game plan, it works, and we get these opportunities off the back of it.”
Prior to kick-off, teams all around the country held a minute's silence to remember women’s football trailblazer Matt Beard, a former Liverpool manager, after his death earlier in the week.
Marie said: “I want to give a massive tribute to him. I think he's been a trailblazer in the women's game and someone who's been at the forefront of the sport when there hasn't been the exposure or the financial incentives. He really set a precedent, and I think the outpouring of messages towards his family makes it clear how much of an impact that Matt had on, not just clubs or players, but across the whole women's game.
“From my perspective and our football club, we send our massive condolences to his family, and want to celebrate the wonderful life and impact that he had on the sport.”
