Argyle Women Secure National League South Status

Argyle Women will play FA Women’s National League South football once more next season, after a 2-0 victory at Gwalia United.

The Pilgrims went into the game second from bottom in the table, level on points with Billericay Town. The brief was for Argyle to get a result that was better than Billericay, who were away at Wimbledon. Wimbledon obliged by winning 4-0, so Argyle’s two-goal victory was more than enough for them to get above the dotted line. 

It was a Lulu Jarvis goal that put Argyle in front. The Jamaica international, appropriately for an Argyle side bedecked in yellow, rose higher than anyone at the far post to get on the end of an excellent Roxy Thomas corner. The goal was a settler, coming as it did four minutes after Ellie Sara had had a penalty, that she herself earned, well saved. 

Argyle were good value for their lead, though, and although Gwalia had their chances, pre and post Argyle going in front, it was an excellent defensive performance from James Bradley’s side. 

With 87 minutes played, Georgia Wilson sealed the victory, combining with Charlotte Whitmore to get behind the defence, and force her way past the goalkeeper to knock into an empty net. 

Head Coach James Bradley said: “ We got the job done. It wasn't the prettiest of performances. I think we've played better and not won in other games, but we got the job done today and that was all we needed to do and focus on.

“I thought it was a really professional performance. The first 10 minutes were a bit cagey like you'd expect. I thought we became the dominant team over the game and that carried on until the final 10 minutes.”

Argyle captain Giota Papaioannou said: “We’re over the moon. It might not have been an ideal season for us but to react the way we did and get a clean sheet in quite difficult conditions is pretty good.

“In the last few weeks, results haven’t necessarily gone our way and we know today was going to be a tough one, but we came and performed.”