Plymouth Argyle’s women put in a gutsy performance on the big Home Park stage on Sunday but were eliminated from the Adobe Women’s FA Cup by a very strong Nottingham Forest side.
Argyle were bidding to reach the fifth round of the competition for the first time after defeating Oxford United on penalties in the third round. They defended resolutely in the first half and looked to be heading into the break trailing by just one until a Forest goal in the third minute of added time doubled the visitors’ advantage.
As Argyle Women’s coach Ryan Perks acknowledged after the game, Forest’s fitness levels — helped by the presence in the side of six full-time professionals — told as the game wore on. The visitors scored four more in the second half before a lovely Jade Berrow header from an Argyle free kick right at the death gave the home side a richly deserved consolation goal.
The Argyle women were backed by a vocal crowd almost 2,000 strong with the younger supporters very much in evidence. As always, the players showed their appreciation, signing autographs and posing for selfies long after the final whistle.
Pictures: Colin Bradbury / Cornwall Sports Media
