Argyle Women claimed their first FA Women’s National League points of the season in impressive fashion, securing a hard-fought 1-0 win against Hashtag United at Home Park.
Mille Pullen fired the Pilgrims into the lead from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after Shana Dolbel was taken down by Emel Huseyin.
Argyle went on to show great resilience to protect their advantage and secure all three points, marking a first win of the league campaign, against a Hashtag side in decent form.
Head Coach Matt Green made two changes from the team that faced Arsenal PGA last weekend in the FAWNL Plate, with previously cup-tied duo Pullen and Libby Gimson replacing Ellie J Bishop and Kiesha Walker.
Liv Giles started in goal behind a back line consisting of Gimson, Ali Lambe, Cadi Rodgers and Ellie M Bishop. Chloe Ingrouille occupied a deeper midfield role ahead of the defence, with a flat four of Khloe Reed, Sienna Gilbert, Brooklyn Brothers and Shana Dolbel ahead of her, leaving Pullen to lead the line.
Argyle started well and had the first proper chance of the game when Pullen displayed her pace to latch onto Dolbel’s through ball, before looking to find Reed in the box, but the ball dribbled out for a Hashtag goal kick.
Hashtag defender Grace Gillard’s blushes were spared early on, when goalkeeper Laura Hartley managed to retreat just in time to control her teammate’s misplaced back-pass before it crossed the line.
Then, in the 15th minute, Dolbel worked her magic to win a penalty for the Greens, having been brought down by Huseyin just inside the 18-yard box. In the absence of the injured Laura Curnock, Pullen stepped up and produced a calm, composed finish down the middle of Hartley’s goal.
Argyle’s opener prompted scenes of celebration down the touchline and in the stands, but with the goal coming so early, there was recognition of the amount of work still needed.
The Pilgrims continued to work hard and nearly saw their lead doubled shortly before the half-hour mark, when Huseyin came close to finding the back of her own net following Pullen’s ball across goal – but much to the Tags’ relief, the defender’s clearance dribbled narrowly wide of the post.
With seven minutes to go until half-time, it was Hashtag’s turn to put the pressure on. Elicia Mulvaney found space in behind Argyle’s defence but was denied by Giles at her near post.
Head Coach Green was forced into an early substitution after Brothers was left feeling the effects from a strong tackle and she was replaced by Kennedy Garside.
A bizarre moment followed shortly after. Natasha Snelling looked to be en route to a yellow card when she fouled Gimson for a second time in the space of a few minutes, but referee Anthony Blatchford instead booked Tags captain Emma Samways, seemingly for an argument.
After the break, Hashtag came out with more purpose and forced Argyle to work hard if they were to earn a first league win of the season.
Ingrouille and Rodgers made vital blocks in and around the 18-yard box to limit the visitors to half-chances and maintain the Pilgrims’ lead.
The heart rates of everyone involved from an Argyle perspective were then spiked on the hour mark when Angela Nelson-Iye found the back of the net. However, they returned to normal levels – for the time being – when the linesman raised his flag to indicate offside.
Keeper Giles was adamant to earn a first clean sheet of the league campaign and was on hand, on several occasions, to sniff out danger and claim the ball when Hashtag were through on goal.
In the 72nd minute, Chloe Ingrouille was replaced by Ciara Magee, who was making her return to action having been on the receiving end of a reckless tackle against Cheltenham Town, just under a month ago.
Argyle dealt with a late flurry of set pieces well, but there was a feeling that the Tags would have one final big opportunity to level the score. That chance came with three minutes of normal time to go, when Macey Nicholls thrashed a powerful half-volley into the side-netting.
Having battled away throughout the 90 minutes, combative midfielder Gilbert then took matters into her own hands. With Argyle keeping the ball away from their own goal, the youngster won three free kicks in as many minutes to keep the ball up the right end.
The celebrations and scenes of pure jubilation after the final whistle reflected just how much the result meant to the Pilgrims – and how much hard work had gone into achieving it. Green and his coaching staff burst out from their technical area and enjoyed the moment together, while some players fell to their knees, and others ran to the touchline to celebrate with family and friends.
Argyle will be hoping the result can kickstart their season and will be looking to build on it when they travel to Sussex in two weeks’ time for another important FAWNL fixture, against Lewes.
Argyle: 1 Liv Giles, 2 Cadi Rodgers, 3 Libby Gimson, 4 Ali Lambe, 5 Ellie M Bishop (capt), 7 Millie Pullen, 14 Shana Dolbel, 16 Sienna Gilbert, 19 Brooklyn Brothers (17 Kennedy Garside, 40), 21 Chloe Ingrouille (20 Ciara Magee, 72), 25 Khloe Reed (15 Kiesha Walker, 84). Substitutes: 29 Aimee Walters (GK), 24 Ellie J Bishop, 30 Lily Coaker.
Goals: Pullen 16
Booked: Dolbel 72
Hashtag United: 1 Laura Hartley, 2 Angela Nelson-Iye (19 Lyndsey Preston, 68), 4 Grace Gillard, 5 Bonnie Horwood (18 Aryanna Adesan, 79), 7 Elicia Mulvaney (6 Ruby Gaitely, 68), 8 Ruby Doe, 10 Macey Nicholls, 11 Emma Samways (capt), 12 Olivia Smith, 14 Emel Huseyin, 22 Natasha Snelling. Substitutes: 17 Ava Steven, 25 Frankie Williams.
Booked: Samways 42, Preston 89
Referee: Anthony Blatchford