Two goals from trialists helped push Argyle Women to a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon, in the latest pre-season friendly.
The game at the Baggies’ Academy started with possession domination and control from the Greens, but chances were hard to come by through the opening quarter of an hour.
The first shooting opportunity fell to Imy Crawford, after high pressure from the midfielder won her the ball in the West Brom final third, but a quick recovery challenge blocked the shot out of play.
The remainder of the half continued very much in Argyle’s favour, with efforts from Charlotte Whitmore and one from a trialist both striking the West Brom crossbar and flying out of play, rather than back into the area for a possible rebound chance.
Whitmore also had another chance, in the 29th minute, but the Argyle number seven was unable to poke her effort into the far corner and had to watch it run wide and out of play for a goal kick.
The game headed into the break level but, soon enough, Marie Hourihan’s side had their first goal of the game. A flicked pass from Whitmore freed Trialist A to run into open space and calmly slot home past the newly substituted West Brom goalkeeper.
Just after the 70th minute, Argyle almost had their second of the game, however Layla Proctor's header at the back post – much like her goal against Wolves at Home Park – was saved superbly by the Baggies’ goalkeeper.
Hermione Cull then had a world-class save of her own, pushing away an effort after a quick counter-attack, before the hosts equalised with four minutes left. Proctor gave away a foul on the edge of the area, and West Brom fired into the far bottom corner from the free-kick.
Parity did not last long, however, as Argyle found their winner in added time. Roisin Kivel whipped a ball into the six-yard box and saw her cross get flicked home by Trialist C, securing Argyle an exciting win against a strong FAWNL Northern Premier Division side away from home.
Head Coach Hourihan said: “It was a dominant first-half performance. I think the only disappointing thing for us is that we weren't going in at half-time three or four nil up. I think that clinical edge was something that we lacked a little bit today but, overall, I was delighted.
“We had some key out-of-possession focuses which we were going after today, and I thought we executed them really well. We also dominated the ball and are starting to see some clear patterns of play that we've been working on, creating some good opportunities. The takeaway is we need to be a little bit more clinical.
“I think West Brom came out and pressed us a little bit more in the second 45. I think we showed a little bit of resiliency when they got their equaliser – from a well-hit free kick to be fair - to come back and pick up the winner.
“In terms of the whole game, we had a little bit of everything in what we had to face, but overall, I’m very pleased.”
Argyle: 1 Hermione Cull, 5 Giota Papaioannou (capt), 6 Layla Proctor, 7 Charlotte Whitmore, 8 Imy Crawford, 11 Roisin Kivel, 14 Trialist B, 16 Ella Stephens (26 Trialist E, 60), 17 Trialist C, 18 Trialist A (15 Georgie Knott, 86), 20 Trialist D (3 Roxy Thomas, 90+3). Substitutes: 9 Phoebie Poole, 25 Jess Geach.
