Report | Argyle Women 1 London Bees 2
Plymouth Argyle 1
Jemma Rose 53’
London Bees 2
Ryah Vyse 7’, Kayla Potter 19’
Argyle’s slow start to the FA Women’s National League Premier Division South campaign continued as the Greens slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat against London Bees at Manadon Sports Hub.
The visitors made a fast-paced start to the game and Argyle were behind in the seventh minute. A recycled London Bees corner found the head of Ryah Vyse who made no mistake to powerfully plant the ball beyond Jasmine Read in the Argyle goal.
The Bees continued to press, relentlessly pursuing a second goal and it duly came in the 19th minute. London Bees fed the ball to Jade Bell out wide, who’s well-placed cross into the centre was met by the unmarked Kayla Potter. The Bees striker heading into the net giving London Bees a two-goal advantage.
The visitors managed the game well for the rest of the first half, creating numerous chances which tested Pilgrims’ goalkeeper Jasmie Read, however the Bees were unable to improve upon their two-goal advantage.
Half-time came at an opportune moment for the Greens and Ryan Perks was able to tweak his side’s formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 by introducing Kaitlyn Morgan-Hemmens and Panagiota Papaioannou in place of Amber Pollock and Tiana Campbell.
The tactical change paid immediate dividends and the Greens began to carve out chances for themselves. Kayley Lane and Rosie Train were both unfortunate to see early second half chances go begging as Argyle looked to get back into the game.
The pressure was now building in Argyle’s favour, and it wasn’t long before they took their chance. A well-placed cross found Jemma Rose unmarked at the back post who tapped the ball home from close range.
Argyle’s confidence visibly grew, and the Greens pushed hard to grab an equalising goal. Kayley Lane and Rosie Train again carved out great opportunities but the Bees’ ‘keeper was equal to their efforts.
With the match entering the closing stages, Manager Ryan Perks sent on the returning Beth Ireland in place of Zoe Cunningham to continue piling on the pressure on the Bees defence. Argyle were now throwing everything at London Bees, but the visitors were still posing a threat on the counterattack and the Greens were once again indebted to Jasmie Read as she pulled off a fantastic diving save to prevent a third Bees’ goal.
There would still be one final chance for Argyle when the Greens were awarded a free kick on the edge of the 18-yard box after Charlotte Whitmore was hauled down when clear through on goal. London Bees’ defender Jess Burke was given her marching orders for her indiscretion as Argyle looked to capitalise on this final opportunity. Unfortunately for the Greens, Jemma Rose’s free kick was too high and sailed over the crossbar.
The match referee blew his final whistle shortly after, leaving the Greens to ponder what might have been and to suffer defeat for the fourth time in four games so far this season.
Argyle Women will now look to bounce back next Sunday when they travel to AFC St. Austell in the determining round of this season’s FAWNL Cup.
Argyle (4-2-3-1): 1 Jasmine Read, 3 Rosie Train, (5 Panagiota Papaioannou), 6 Lucy Hack, 2 Sophie Perrin, 18 Imy Crawford, 10 Zoe Cunningham (capt.) (20 Beth Ireland), 8 Kayley Lane, 17 Tiana Campbell (9 Kaitlyn Morgan-Hemmens), 7 Charlotte Whitmore, 11 Amber Pollock.
