Report | Argyle Women 1 Milton Keynes Dons 2
Argyle 1
Sara 43
MK Dons 2
Creaney 13, Gould 53
Argyle Women’s 2023/24 season ended with a narrow defeat at Coach Road, with Milton Keynes Dons winning by the odd goal in three.
The Dons broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through the head of Zoe Creaney from a corner, but Argyle responded just before the half ended through the boot of Ellie Sara, after a well-placed through ball in behind.
MK recovered their lead minutes into the second half following an indirect free-kick that rebounded to Tricia Gould, who finished from close range. The Greens worked tirelessly to carve out chances on goal with substitute Georgie Knott shaving the post and Sara striking the bar but, despite their best efforts, Argyle were unable to end the season with one final victory.
“It’s a disappointing result,” said mangaer Ryan Perks following his side's defeat. “I think on reflection of the whole game a draw would’ve been a fair result. We’ve had a couple of chances and Ellie’s hit the bar right at the end, but MK came here and had something to play for with their manager leaving so fair play to them.
“MK are a good side. They moved the ball well and made it difficult for us at times. I don’t think they bombarded us with loads of chances, but that’s football at the end of the day - they took their two chances, and we didn’t.”
The gaffer also took time to reflect on the season following the final fixture of the 2023/24 season.
“Overall, it’s been a good season for us,” he said. “This squad is a very young one and there’s been a lot of development across the board. I just said to them in the changing room that we must take what we’ve learnt this season into the next.
“We’ve got some really important weeks coming up now where we will work to hopefully further improve ourselves, ready for the 2024/25 season. We’re all excited for what's to come. However, for now, it’s a good chance to recharge and get ready for what will hopefully be another great season at Plymouth Argyle Women.”
Argyle: 42 Lily Felgate, 2 Katie Dickson, 4 Jemma Rose, 5 Panagiota Papaioannou, 6 Lucy Hack, 7 Charlotte Whitmore, 8 Imy Crawford (13 Grace Smith), 9 Ellie Sara, 18 Taya Pomfret, 19 Erin O’Shea (20 Fern Orchard), 28 Amii Kearley (15 Georgie Knott).
