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Plymouth Argyle Women clinch important Home Park win against Lewes

Charlotte Whitmore in action for Argyle Women - Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Plymouth Argyle earned a vital three points after defeating 10-player Lewes 2-1 in the FA Women's National League Southern Premier at Home Park.

A goal apiece in the first half from Charlotte Whitmore and Georgia Wilson helped secure the win and pull off an upset against the side four places above them in the table. Lewes got one back through Hannah Godfrey, while the hosts had a player on the sidelines receiving treatment but the home side hung on for a crucial victory.

Lewes were reduced to 10 in the 69th minute after Sarah Harvey received her second yellow for a badly timed tackle on Whitmore.

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The win does still see Argyle stay in the bottom two, after Gwalia United beat fellow struggling side MK Dons 2-0. The Welsh side are currently ahead of them on goal difference but have a game in hand.

Argyle started the match the stronger of the two teams and looked hungry for goals, something which they have not for a while. There was a sense of urgency and demand from the players as they only had staying in the league as a focus.

The Greens looked comfortable in possession and had a few chances early on for both Fern Orchard and Whitmore, but the passes were both too heavy and nothing came from them. It was a sign of things to come for the Rooks, as the hosts were pressing high and leaving bodies up the field, ready to pounce on to opportunities.

Lewes had their first chance of the game in the 11th minute, but it was cleared away by Georgie Knott before the Greens went on their own charge once again. This time Wilson had played in Whitmore, but she was beaten to it by goalkeeper Emily Moore.

Wilson then went on a run of her own shortly after but was brought down by Sarah Harvey as this is the only way The Rooks could find to stop Argyle in attack. Harvey received a yellow for the foul and the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous position.

Lewes produced a strong counter from the set piece, and with Argyle low in numbers at the back it looked the chance they needed to get ahead in the match, however Caitlin Smith produced an expertly-timed tackle to win the ball and play the ball into the midfield.

Whitmore beat Moore one on one to put the Greens ahead, much to the delight of the home fans. She found her way on to a through ball then buried it beyond the ‘keeper, who managed to get a hand to it but it was never going to be enough.

Taking the lead provided Argyle with much-needed confidence and they kept producing chance after chance but were lacking quality in the final third. They were winning all the balls in the midfield but were struggling to find the right passes.

The Rooks had their own range of chances from Olivia Carpenter and Lois Roche but Lily Felgate claimed them all with ease and had never looked troubled throughout the half. The second for the Greens came from Wilson, who buried the rebound of Ellie Sara's saved shot on the brink of half-time.

Lewes started the second half stronger, and they were on the hunt to get themselves back into the match. They created multiple opportunities but Felgate was never really tested.

Argyle once again went in attack with Wilson looking to add to her tally for this match, however both of her chances were spectacularly blocked, and the hosts remained two ahead.

Lewes managed to halve the deficit in the 66th minute when Godfrey slotted home the corner from Paula Howells, which was won after Knott put the ball out from the oncoming attack.

Acting manager Jon Dawe made an instant change in retaliation to the Rooks’ goal, bringing Lulu Jarvis on for forward Orchard, who had an excellent game but was just unfortunate not to get on to the scoresheet

Harvey earned her second yellow of the match, and subsequently a red, for her late and reckless challenge on Whitmore. The forward was making a charging run up the left wing before she was wiped out by the defender.

Dawe made another change heading into the final 15 minutes bringing Katie Dickson on to strengthen the defence and protect the lead, and removed Stephens who had earned herself another yellow just moments before.

Lewes were having the run of the game despite playing with less, and kept creating chances but they struggled to make any of them count. Both teams were failing in the final third and could not find the back of the net once again.

It was a nervy final few minutes for Argyle fans to see if they could hold on to a much needed three points. The Greens were clearing with long balls and running with the ball into empty space to retain possession as much as possible.

Lewes had the last passage of play of the game with a free-kick after Imy Crawford fouled Layla Proctor. Howells tried the chance from distance knowing the final whistle was imminent but Felgate parried the shot away before Smith once again cleared.

Argyle are back on the road for the next couple of weeks facing AFC Wimbledon and Oxford United respectively.

You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE