Argyle beat Torquay United 1-0 at Home Park to edge close to progression in the FA Women’s National League Cup.
Brooklyn Brothers scored a remarkable free kick to earn victory for the Greens, their first at Home Park this season.
The win means that Argyle finish second in their group and will have to wait and see if they are one of the 10 best second-place teams in order to progress.
Matt Green made two changes to the side that lost at Oxford United last weekend.
Cadi Rodgers, whose signing was announced pre match, started the game in the place of Kiesha Walker.
Brooklyn Brothers was the other inclusion, coming into the team for Kennedy Garside.
This meant it was Liv Giles in goal, with a back three ahead of her containing Aliyat Lambe, Rodgers and Ellie.M Bishop. Khloe Reed and Chloe Ingrouille started at wing-back, as they have done frequently so for this season.
Sienna Gilbert, Brothers and Farrah Ambrose made up a three-woman midfield full of energy. Shana Dolbel played off Laura Curnock in the forward line.
Before the game both teams took a photo joined by members of Roxy Thomas’ family as a show of solidarity with the former Argyle, and current Torquay, defender, who is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumour.
Two minutes in, Argyle signalled their intent. Gilbert was found in behind and the midfielder fired just inches wide of the post.
Therefore, when they took the lead in the fifth minute, it was no surprised.
Brothers curled a free-kick, from distance, beyond Ellie Mitchell and into the top-left corner. It was a stunning effort celebrated with an impressive knee slide in front of the jubilant Green Army.
The fast start continued, Gilbert then tried her luck from range but was unable to keep the effort down.
Dolbel was proving a tricky customer up front; her energy and movement was hard for the Torquay defenders to contain, resulting in Gulls’ centre-back Jasmine Barker being booked early on.
The Greens had the ball in good areas for large parts of the first half; Torquay keeper Mitchell was called into action on a number of occasions.
Ella-Mae Miller attempted to repeat the feat of Brothers – scoring a remarkable free kick. However, Giles was on hand to save, an excellent one to keep the scoreline as it was.
Green’s side made to the interval ahead with a deserved lead.
Torquay began the second period on the front foot; Sarah Stacey called Giles into action early on, but the save was a comfortable one.
Walker was brought on just before the hour mark to tighten things up defensively, Ingrouille made way. Not long after this Garside was introduced in the place of Ambrose.
Stacey had another chance when Torquay broke with pace. This time her shot was weak and straight at Giles, a let off for the Greens.
Argyle grew into the second half and continued to threaten Torquay with the pace of Dolbel and the flying wing-back’s.
Naturally as the game drew towards its conclusion, it was the visitors who were in the ascendancy as they searched for an equaliser.
Argyle dug in well, the back three battled and dealt with everything that came their way.
Fresh legs came in the form of Phoebe Bettey and Lily Coaker as they replaced Reed and Curnock in the closing stages.
Greens’ side held on and won the game, their second victory in this competition.
Argyle will now look ahead to next Sunday’s clash against Real Bedford in the FA Women’s National League.
Argyle: 1 Liv Giles, 4 Aliyat Lambe, 5 Ellie.M Bishop (capt), 9 Laura Curnock (30 Lily Coaker, 90+3), 11 Cadi Rodgers, 14 Shana Dolbel, 16 Sienna Gilbert, 18 Farrah Ambrose (17 Kennedy Garside, 63), 19 Brooklyn Brothers, 21 Chloe Ingrouille (15 Kiesha Walker, 58), 25 Khloe Reed (23 Phoebe Bettey, 89). Substitutes: 24 Ellie.J Bishop.
Goals: Brothers 5
Torquay United: 1 Ellie Mitchell, 2 Ella-Mae Miller (16 Brooke Patton, 56), 4 Jess Geach, 5 Amii Kearley, 6 Matilda Franchi (23 Daniella Tyson, 77), 8 Katelyn Bell, 14 Jasmine Barker, 15 Sarah Stacey, 17 Katie Dickson, 19 Mollie Taylor (capt), 20 Beth Ireland. Substitutes: 13 Hannah Bishop, 25 Hope Brinicombe.
Booked: Barker 26
Referee: Anthony Blatchford
Attendance: 1,002