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For this eagerly awaited clash against third placed Chesham United, the Pilgrims were able to select the same squad that made the trip to Swindon last time out, with just one exception. Nat Bavister returned from illness for Laura Perrett who was unavailable.
From the outset, play was fairly open and end to end as the teams vied for superiority. Argyle were given encouragement as early as the seventh minute. The ball was played forward through midfield and out to the right side. Nat Bavister sent the ball across the face of the goal toward the far post where Rachel Javan shot back across goal to see her effort strike the post and away to safety. From this point Chesham came more into the game as the Pilgrims' play began to deteriorate, as misplaced passes and lack of urgency became the order of the day.
It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead on 26 minutes. There was indecision in the defence and Chesham were quick to take advantage, shooting home from ten yards.
To their credit the girls responded in the right way, redoubling their efforts. Play at times was disjointed, and chances went begging. Rachel Javan again shot past the far post on 30 minutes. With possibly their best move of the match Nat Bavister shot from the right side of the box. With the visitors keeper beaten her shot clipped the top of the crossbar and over for a goal kick. That was the last real action of the half , and it was clear there would need to be some improvement if Argyle were to get themselves back into the game in the second half.
At the restart Becky Rose was replaced by Sophie Drake . The girls were on the front foot from the whistle and were moving the ball around with more purpose, the visitors defence coming under increasing pressure. Following a corner Tash Knapman was unlucky not to equalise as her shot from an acute angle hit the post and was cleared away. A few minutes later and the same player wasted the best chance of the match. Tash latched onto a ball over the top of the defence, was clear through on goal but shot wide from ten yards. The Pilgrims were having their best spell of the game and it seemed an equaliser was imminent, but it was one of those days when the ball would not drop to a green shirt in the box to get a clear shot on goal. In an effort to vary the attack, manager Rhys Sullivan made a further substitution, Rachel Javan making way for Becky McMulllin . As so often happens in this game it was the visitors who increased their lead against the run of play. Having been under pressure for some time they played their way to the other end for their second goal . In a final throw of the dice defender Chelsea Easton was sacrificed for an extra forward, and Rhianne Parsons came on for the final 20 minurtes.It was not to be however, though a final chance came for Tash Knapman. She forced her way through two tackles only for yet another effort to drift past the post.
This was a game the girls should never have lost. They had the majority of possession, created at least eight good scoring chances, and on another day would have won handsomely.
However, if they are to compete with the best they must be more clinical with their finishing.
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