Report | Argyle Women 4 Cheltenham Town 2
Argyle 4
Wilson 17, 90+6, Ireland 18, Cunningham pen 58
Cheltenham 2
Cook 83, Wathan 90+3
Plymouth Argyle Women secured a second-round seat in the Vitality Women's FA Cup after claiming victory in a cracking contest with Cheltenham Town.
Goals in quick succession from debutant Georgia Wilson and Beth Ireland secured Argyle an early lead, with a Zoe Cunningham penalty in the second half adding a third. Cheltenham scored twice in the closing stages, but Wilson’s second goal of the day deep into stoppage time sealed the deal.
After Argyle had a multitude of set-piece chances early on, Wilson claimed her first goal in an Argyle shirt in the 17th minute after finding space in the centre of the box. Ireland followed suit moments later, finishing following a blistering run from Amber Pollock, and suddenly the Greens were two up.
Cheltenham had chances in the first half, but defensive efforts from Kayley Lane and Tiana Campbell nullified the Robinesses’ dangerous forwards and the ball was kept safely away from Jasmine Read's hands.
The second half gave Argyle another opportunity to extend their lead following an off-the-ball penalty call in the area. Skipper Cunningham stepped up to take it and effortlessly placed it into the top right corner, giving Cheltenham a large deficit to claw back from.
Ireland and Lane continued to test the keeper from distance following the third goal, but it was Cheltenham who would strike next via an Izzy Cook close-range effort on 83 minutes that flew into the top corner of the net.
Suddenly Cheltenham had momentum, and they got a second three minutes into injury time. The match had all of a sudden become very close in its final stages, but Wilson would ease Argyle fans' nerves with a close-range effort which sealed her second of the game and Argyle’s advancement into the second round of the FA Cup.
The Greens will now look to take this momentum into their first Home Park fixture of the season, on Sunday, 20 November (2pm). Argyle will take on Ipswich Town in a repeat of last season’ contest at the Theatre of Greens.
Argyle: 1 Jasmine Read, 3 Rosie Train, 4 Jemma Rose, 5 Panagiota Papaioannou, 17 Tiana Campbell, 16 Georgia Wilson (13 Katie Dickson), 8 Kayley Lane, 18 Imy Crawford, 10 Zoe Cunningham (7 Charlotte Whitmore), 20 Beth Ireland (9 Kaitlyn Morgan-Hemmens), 11 Amber Pollock.
