Argyle Women welcome Millwall Lionesses to Home Park on Sunday afternoon for their FA Cup first-round tie, with kick off at 2pm.
The Pilgrims will face fifth-tier opposition in Millwall as they look to reach the second round of the competition and build on their cup performances so far this season.
For a number of Argyle’s young players, Sunday will mark a significant milestone in their careers. Head Coach Matt Green looks forward to seeing how his squad handle the experience.
He said: “The girls are super excited. For some of them, it is the first time they have been involved in the FA Cup, so it is going to be a big moment for them. Everyone is looking forward to it, and we’ve prepared well in training this week.”
Millwall have experienced mixed fortunes in their London and South East Regional League campaign so far, having only won twice in their opening nine matches.
Despite their current position in tier five, Green is aware of the quality they will bring to Home Park and insists his side must prepare like they would for any other game.
“They have a number of players who have played at a higher level, so there will definitely be a threat,” he said.
“The narrative will be about tier five against tier three, but we all know football isn’t played like that. You have to turn up and respect the opposition, which we will do.
”Ultimately it is a game of football that we have to win to get through to the next round and progress as far as we can.”
The tie comes amidst a demanding league campaign for the Pilgrims, but their performances in cup competitions this season have provided some encouraging signs and positive results. Green believes his squad can draw on those experiences this weekend.
He said: “The girls have gone into every single game this season believing they can get something from them. Obviously, the [league] results have not gone the way any of us would have wanted, and we have spoken a lot about that. We have also brought people in to speak honestly about what has happened and the need to change things going forward.
”However, we have had a good cup run. This group have won matches in the League Cup this year, so it’s not as if they don’t know what it feels like to win a game of football. They know that feeling and what they need to do to achieve it again and that is a massive positive for us going into this competition.”
Argyle could have a new face in their front line on Sunday following the signing of Millie Pullen from Lewes. The 21-year-old has also represented the Republic of Ireland and Manchester City at youth level, with previous senior experience at Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.
Her arrival gives Green another option in attack as he looks to add a new dimension to his side.
“Millie is an exciting young talent who has come in this week,” Green said. “Her pace is her key attribute and that is something that we have been missing up top, to help out Laura [Curnock] who has done a fantastic job for us this season.
”Millie gives us that option. She can play on either the right or left wing, so she gives us more choices up that end of the pitch. She is also a goalscorer, and if she can contribute goals from wide areas, that will be. Massive advantage for us.”
With Argyle continuing to develop a youthful squad, Pullen’s experience could prove just as important as her qualities on the pitch. Having progressed through academy football and featured in the FA Cup before, she arrives with knowledge that could benefit her teammates.
Green said: ”It is no secret that we have a very young team, so bringing Millie in with what she has done in the game at such a young age is really valuable.
”I have already seen some of the younger players speaking with her about her experiences, so she is a great addition, and it is a pleasure to have her with us.”
With Pullen potentially set to make her first appearance in green, Argyle will be hoping they can overcome Millwall and secure their spot in Monday’s second round draw.
--
Tickets are still available and can be brought through this link.