Argyle Women’s first game of 2026 ended in disappointment as they were beaten 3-1 by Watford, despite taking a first-half lead.
Una Lue’s goal put the Greens in a good position at the break, but three goals from Watford in the final 15 minutes of the game, through a Madison Perry brace and an Isabella Fisher strike, handed the visiting side three points, which lifted Watford above the Greens.
Head Coach Marie Hourihan made two changes to her side that beat Real Bedford before the turn of the New Year. Forward Phoebie Poole returned after her suspension was over, with Ella Stephens also coming into the starting XI, replacing the injured Caitlin Smith.
The crowd poured in on the winter afternoon, and throughout the opening 10 minutes, they were treated to early opportunities for both teams. High pressure and a scramble inside the area ended with a Tianna Teisar effort at goal, but it lacked power and was saved comfortably by Watford’s new signing Hope McSheffrey.
Watford quickly countered and somehow found Florence Fyfe inside the area with all the room in the world, but a similar effort at goal, lacking power, was straight at Hermione Cull and was easily claimed.
Over the next 20 minutes, both sides had possession and looked to move forward, but it was Argyle who were creating the better opportunities through free-kicks and corners.
Ella Stephens delivered a delightful ball to the back post, picking out Layla Proctor, but the midfielder was unable to turn her effort on target.
Watford had a similar chance to the aforementioned, through former-Pilgrim Ava Kuyken, but Cull claimed the ball easily. Just a minute later, the game had its opening goal.
Tidy play down the right flank from Olivia Francis presented Lue with the chance to strike towards goal from within the six-yard box, and she did so, with her finish finding the back of the net and giving Argyle the advantage 28 minutes into the game.
The remainder of the half seemed to be playing out comfortably for Argyle, but in the final seconds, Cull was forced into action. Anna Filbey headed towards the goal and seemed to beat all bodies in the box, but a superb diving goal-line save from the Greens’ number one denied the equaliser just before the break.
The second half was very different from the first, however. Watford made a quick change, five minutes in, bringing on Fisher, and she became a difference maker to the Golden Girls’ attacking threat.
Argyle’s first chance of the half came in the 68th minute. Quick football down the right wing from Stephens and Francis ended with a lofted delivery into the box. Roisin Kivel managed to pick up the ball and get an effort away at goal, but it was straight at McSheffrey and easily picked up.
Two more substitutions followed, with Freda Ayisi coming on for the visitors and Tamara Wilcock being the first change for Hourihan, but it worked in Watford’s favour.
In the 77th minute, luck fell their way. Perry picked up the ball on the right and crossed into the area, but the effort somehow looped over Cull and into the corner of the net, bringing the game level.
More changes followed, but Watford were on top and, three minutes before the 90-mark, they took the lead. Counter-attacking play caught Argyle out and eventually ended with Fisher receiving a pass inside the area and firing into the top corner. Fisher was mobbed, the Watford bench were all on their feet, the Argyle mood was dampened further.
The final blow came at the start of additional time. A long ball forward was met by Cull, just outside her area, but she could only strike the ball into the back of Katie Wilson, and it fell to the feet of Fisher. An easy pass across goal preceded Perry’s finish into the back of the net, sealing the game.
Argyle: 1 Hermione Cull, 2 Una Lue, 6 Layla Proctor, 9 Phoebie Poole, 11 Roisin Kivel (capt), 14 Katie Wilson, 16 Ella Stephens, 19 Ellie Noble, 23 Olivia Francis (7 Charlotte Whitmore, 82), 24 Tianna Teisar (15 Tamara Wilcock, 75), 26 Arabella Suttie. Substitutes: 21 Eilish Brogan (gk), 3 Phoebe Hampson, 5 Giota Papaioannou, 17 Paris Dalton, 30 Chloe Ingrouille.
Goal: Lue 28.
Yellow cards: Wilson 27, Proctor 50.
Watford: 25 Hope McSheffrey, 4 Anna Filbey (10 Annie Rossiter, 90+2), 5 Anne Meiwald, 7 Lachante Paul (29 Jhanaie Pierre, 77), 8 Ava Kuyken (99 Freda Ayisi, 72), 9 Madison Perry, 12 Eden Skyers, 18 Poppy Wilson, 20 Lucy Lyon, 21 Florence Fyfe (11 Isabella Fisher, 51), 23 Coral Haines (capt). Substitutes: 1 Rebekah Dowsett (gk), 2 Niamh Peacock, 17 Megan Chandler.
Goals: Perry 77, 90+1, Fisher 87.
Yellow cards: Fisher 84, Filbey 86.
Referee: Charlotte Sparling Haythornthwaite.
