The Greens were beaten 2-0 at Home Park, leaving them with only their league campaign to focus on for the rest of the season
Ellie M Bishop of Plymouth Argyle Women - Photo: Jasmine Bishop (shots_by_jazz)
Ellie M Bishop of Plymouth Argyle Women - Photo: Jasmine Bishop (shots_by_jazz)
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Plymouth Argyle Women saw their cup campaign come to an end with a 2-0 defeat to a young Arsenal PGA (Pro Game Academy) side at Home Park as the visitors progressed in the FAWNL Plate.
The Pilgrims were without new signings Millie Pullen and Libby Gimson, with both players cup-tied to their former clubs, leaving them without two recent additions to their squad.
Argyle produced a competitive performance but were unable to turn their spells of possession into goals, with Victoria Chitham opening the scoring shortly before half-time and Abigail Conway doubled Arsenal’s advantage late on.
Liv Giles made several important saves to keep Argyle in the contest, while Cadi Rodgers impressed defensively throughout.
However, the hosts could not find a way back into the tie, suffering their second cup exit in the space of a week, after losing on penalties to Millwall Lionnesses in the FA Cup.
Arsenal PGA threatened early on, with Giles called into action in the ninth minute to produce an excellent save down to her right and deny Cairo-Evea Antoine, who had worked her way past Ellie J Bishop before driving into the penalty area.
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Argyle gradually grew into the contest, enjoying more possession as the half progressed. Shana Dolbel looked to release Khloe Reed inside the box in the 14th minute, but Arsenal goalkeeper Daisy Sherrin was quick off her line to collect the ball, before punching clear a Kiesha Walker free-kick.
The Pilgrims’ best opportunity came in the 32nd minute when Sienna Gilbert intercepted an Arsenal pass and looked to capitalise on the mistake, but her long-range effort was comfortably saved by Sherrin.
Giles was again required to make an important intervention shortly before the break, getting a hand to Arsenal’s free-kick delivery in the 42nd minute before turning the ball behind for a corner.
However, Argyle’s resistance was broken just a minute later. Chitham found space inside the penalty area and finished from close range to give the visitors the lead going into half-time, despite an encouraging display from the hosts.
Sienna Gilbert of Plymouth Argyle Women - Photo: Jasmine Bishop (shots_by_jazz)
Sienna Gilbert of Plymouth Argyle Women - Photo: Jasmine Bishop (shots_by_jazz)
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Arsenal's Abigail Chipperfield fired over from the edge of the box in the 52nd minute, before Argyle's Ellie M Bishop made a crucial interception inside her own penalty area to prevent another opportunity for the away side.
Kennedy Garside replaced Bishop in the 61st minute as the Pilgrims looked to find a route back into the game. The visitors continued to threaten, but Argyle remained organised defensively.
Rodgers produced two important challenges, first halting an Arsenal attack in the 68th minute before executing an impressive sliding tackle seven minutes later to disrupt another forward move and send the ball behind for a corner.
Giles was also called upon again in the 76th minute, coming off her line quickly to punch away a dangerous cross.
Despite Argyle’s efforts to remain in the contest, Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute. Conway headed home from a corner to put the visitors firmly in control.
The Pilgrims looked for an immediate response, with Garside connecting well with Reed’s cross a minute later, but her effort failed to find the target.
Argyle continued to push in stoppage time, winning a corner after Sherrin mis-kicked the ball. Lambe and Rodgers both challenged for the delivery, but the Arsenal goalkeeper saved to preserve her clean sheet.
With their FA Cup and FAWNL Plate campaigns over following two defeats in the space of a week, Argyle’s focus now turns fully to FAWNL Southern Premier Division action.
The Pilgrims return to Home Park next Sunday (November 8) to host Hashtag United, before a week without a fixture. They then travel to Lewes on November 22, followed by another break in the schedule ahead of their final confirmed fixture of the year, against Fulham at Home Park on December 6.
October was the first month of the season in which the Greens failed to record a victory across all competitions, having previously picked up wins in the FAWNL Plate. They will now be hoping to secure their first league victory across the remaining fixtures of 2026.
ARGYLE: Liv Giles, Cadi Rodgers, Aliyat Lambe, Ellie M Bishop (Kennedy Garside 61 mins), Shana Dolbel, Kiesha Walker, Sienna Gilbert, Brooklyn Brothers (Lily Coaker 83 mins), Chloe Ingrouille, Ellie J Bishop, Khloe Reed (Phoebe Bettey 88 mins). Substitute (not used): Aimee Walters.
ARSENAL PGA: Daisy Sherrin, Lois Hazell (Kiana Best 76 mins), Ellie Beels (Annabelle Tang 62 mins), Abigail Conway, Poppy Salmon, Abigail Chipperfield, Freya Woods (Lily Farrington 76 mins) , Cairo-Evea Antoine, Amelia Marriott, Victoria Chitham, Isabella Cowley. Substitutes (not used): Phoebe De Bohan, Chimela Ude, Jessica Byran, Bryony Brodie.
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