Report

The Ladies were given a footballing lesson by their South coast rivals in the first half, and were three goals down before they could barely draw breath.

After only three minutes the defence was caught flat footed by a ball over the top. Charley Wilson, the games outstanding player, was onto it in a flash and gave Becky Kyle in the Argyle goal no chance.  Eight minutes later and the Pilgrim's were two down.  It was not all one way traffic , and Argyle worked the ball through to Tash Knapman whose cross shot  was palmed past the post. A goal then may have been a spur to the girls as they battled to keep a rampaging Portsmouth side at bay. They were dealt another blow as keeper Becky Kyle was penalised for carrying the ball outside the box. Jemma Tewksbury converted the free kick with ease into the corner of the goal. Argyle began to see a bit more of the ball after this, but were unable to make  any serious inroads against a strong and mobile defence.

  On the half hour Becky McMullin was harshly judged to have fouled inside the box, and Leeta Rutherford converted from the spot kick  for 4 -0.  Argyle did create a good chance a couple of minutes from the break when Laura Perrett  worked a good position from the left . Her effort was saved by the home keeper who made herself a big target. The Plymouth girls were glad to hear the half time whistle and trooped off to try and regroup.

       Five minutes into the second half and there were signs of a revival. Tash Knapman worked the ball across the 18 yard line and did well to get a shot away that the home keeper had to be alert to save. The Pilgrims came under some heavy pressure as Portsmouth won a succession of corners. It was from one of these situations the home side increased their lead, Wilson converting a free header at the near post.  It was Wilson who notched the sixth, and Pompey's second penalty. Keeper Becky Kyle appeared to have dived fairly to get the ball but followed through to take down the forward . The ref. again harshly  I feel, saw this as a foul and awarded a spot kick. Argyles misery was complete ten minutes from time when Lucy Quin netted the home sides eighth goal.

The girls will have to pick themselves up for a vital bottom of the table clash against  QPR  at Coach Road next weekend .