For the trip to Mount Wise, Charlie Carter continued in goal, and Katie Middleton was drafted to the back four in the absence of Jemma Rose who was unavailable, and Rachel Javan was given a start on the left of midfield.
This fixture is always keenly contested, and todays match was no exception . The game began in bright and sunny conditions with a keen nor'westerly breeze blowing down the pitch.

The opening minutes were full of niggly fouls with neither side willing to give way and the referee had his work cut out to keep control of the game. Free flowing football was impossible at this time as the play was continually interrupted for infringements.

Argyle got themselves into a good position in the centre of the field and the ball broke to Laura Perrett who blasted her shot over the bar. Following a series of fouls , Laura managed to get herself booked as early as the fifteenth minute, but to her credit concentrated on playing football from then on . Tash and Ellis were causing problems with their skill and pace on the right side, at times leaving defenders for dead. It was Tash who had the next real attempt, but her shot went just wide of the post . Laura Gough was always alert up front and had defenders continually on the back foot , and on 34 minutes hit a shot across the keeper only to see it strike the far post and away.
Argyle were gradually taking control of the game and builing up a head of steam as their attacks beacame more purposeful. On 42 minutes they took a well deserved lead when Becca Rose played a great ball forward , slicing through the defence. Goughy was on it in a flash, her pace taking her past a defender with ease . There was only going to be one outcome, and sure enough she shot firmly past the home keeper into the net.
The half time whistle came with the Pilgrim's on the front foot and looking for a second. The physical approach of the home side was consistently thwarted by resolute actions , and skilful play by the visitors. The game had been played at a hectic pace and the players were glad of a few minutes to catch their breath, as too were the spectators.

Argyle began the second half with the wind behind them , and immediately went seaching for a second goal. Ellis shot into the side netting , when she may have crossed the ball to better effect.
Fifteen minutes in and Becca Rose , who had taken some heavy challenges in the first half, was taken out in midfield , and had to come off with a hip injury. Leah brooks took her place . A few minutes later , and Rachel Javan, who had worked tirelessly up and down the left side was replaced by sixteen year old Steph Venn for her first taste of Combination League football.
Argyle were working hard, and in command of the game , as most of the play was in the Newquay half, but needed another goal to emphasise their superiority.
On 72 minutes , the Newquay skipper was given a second yellow card for yet another foul, and was dismissed from the pitch.
Steph Venn was felled by a tackle , retained the ball on the ground, while two Newquay players kicked lumps out of her , and the referee bizzarrely gave a free kick against her.
On 74 minutes Argyle got the second goal their play had deserved. Katie Middleton launched a free kick into the box. The defence failed to clear , and Tash got her head to it to score from close in.
The Pilgrim's continued to press, though not really taking advantage of the extra player, until a few minutes from time. Ellis chased a through ball and hit an unstoppable shot high into the corner, leaving the home keeper helpless for the third goal .
This was the first time Argyle have beaten Newquay on their own patch, and was thoroughly deserved for the application and good discipline they showed. They defended soundly when required, Charlie in goal handled the ball with great confidence, the back four showed steel and skill in equal measures. The midfield were outstanding with effort and creativity, and the forwards worked their socks off, making runs to draw defenders, and always alert for the half chance.
A victory to be proud of in every respect !!


MANAGERS THOUGHTS

Well obviously I am very happy to come away from Newquay with 3 points for the first time in our clubs history, but even more impressed with the manner and sheer grit and determination and composure it required for us to do it. Everybody played their part today and worked tirelessly for the team keeping their heads when they were clearly being provoked by opposition players with late off the ball challenges, as well as verbal attacks in the dressing rooms before, during and after the game.

A year ago we travelled to Newquay with the club in disarray and got destroyed. A year on and we won the game comfortably with the opposition having only one attempt on target in the entire 90 minutes, so i am very pleased with that. I must, however, stress to everyone that the job is far from done. Newquay are not, in my opinion, going to be title challengers this season, so as much as it was a mental victory for us we have much harder games and tests to come in the coming months.


MOM

Man of the match was a hard one to call this week with exceptonal performances from a huge number of individuals. Charlie Carter was superb in goal once again, and now has 2 clean sheets on the trot. Ellis Hillman played in the middle of midfield and her tireless running and tidy link up play meant Newquay had no answer to her. I award man of the match to Katie Middleton, who marshalled the back 4 expertly and was a calming presence throughout the game. Her physical and aerial presence, and ability to lead by example, has been a real calming influence on what is still a very young side. This is echoed by the results in the last 2 weeks and the fact that there are no goals conceded in the goals against column.