Argyle’s hunt for promotion to WSL2 continued on Sunday afternoon, with the Greens’ latest victory setting up a potential final-day showdown with AFC Bournemouth.
Sunday’s 5-0 victory over Oxford United, in the final home game of the season, holds the Greens’ place in second in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division table and six points clear of Bournemouth.
Goals from Tianna Teisar, Arabella Suttie, Paris Dalton (two) and Roisin Kivel saw Argyle comfortably come away from the game with three points.
Now, however, Marie Hourihan’s side must sit and watch before the final round of games of the season on Sunday, 26 April. Bournemouth have to face Real Bedford (H) and Lewes (A) before they travel to Watford for a final-day game that could be the deciding round.
Argyle’s attention will now turn to preparations for their trip to Bedford at the end of the month, but for now, Head Coach Hourihan had nothing but praise for the performance at Home Park on Sunday afternoon.
“We achieved exactly what was required today,” Hourihan told Argyle TV. “The reaction off the back of a very disappointing performance from last weekend in the cup final was something that I was definitely looking for, and in the opening exchanges of the game, we really set the tone for ourselves, knowing the situation that we needed a victory today.
“I thought we applied ourselves really well. We may have taken a little bit longer for us to probably get the just deserves from our pressure, but to go into half-time 3-0 up was a fantastic position for us to be in. Then it was a case of knowing the importance of goal difference for us and making sure that we were ruthless in taking those opportunities.
“Some of the goals today were perfect examples of what we've consistently done this season, and the last goal epitomised how we want to play, which was really pleasing to see. The most important thing for me was the result, but also the much-improved performance level.
“I think we have the best defensive record in the league, and that’s something we pride ourselves on. If you want to succeed and potentially win titles, then you need a tight defensive effort and be really resolute to stop teams.
“In the end, Oxford probably only had one shot throughout the entirety of the game, so to come away with that clean sheet, and this being our last home game as well, is another pleasing thing.
“The message for me before the game was quite clear. We've had 20 games of hard work to get ourselves into this position, and now it's up to us to make sure that we carry out our jobs and take care of what we know we are good at. We implement how we want to play, but also earn the right, and I thought today that was the big difference for me, certainly compared to last weekend.
“We were a lot better with doing the basic things well, and that's what's got us to this point in the season, with one game to go, and still having the opportunity to go and get that second spot in the league.
“The Green Army are a credit to the football club. They come out in their numbers, week in, week out. Last weekend all the way to London, and now on Easter Sunday, the volume and number of supporters were just something else. It really boosts the team, boosts the players, but I think most importantly for women's football in Devon, it just shows the direction it's going in.”
