A top of the table clash, and a special day for Plymouth Argyle. Home Park was the venue for this weekends game between Plymouth and Watford, as the new Mayflower Grandstand was opened for the very first time.
Both teams were looking to add another 3 points just before the winter break, but with rainstorms forecast, it was set to be a difficult afternoon.
Argyle were quick off the mark, and had 2 very early chances to open the scoring. Becky Dandridge’s shot was just wide, and Helen Bleazard could only find the side netting. A stretched one hand save from Argyle Captain Kate Middleton was then enough to deny Watford their opening goal.
The next 15 minutes were then end to end, with only Argyles Zoe Cunningham having any real chance at scoring.
However, in the 20th minute, the game kicked into life. Argyle were awarded a free-kick, and Bleazard stepped up to send a rocket into the top corner. Home Park erupted as they opened the scoring. Then, within 5 minutes Argyle had their second. Watford’s keeper got down well, however was unable to stop Bow Jackson’s shot hitting the bottom corner.
With the game showing no sign of slowing down, Watford had their first goal. Not even 2 minutes had passed since Argyle scored their second, and the game was now 2-1.
Watford then equalised just before the half hour mark. Captain Helen Ward found the back of the net from a corner, and with 4 goals in 10 minutes, the score was 2-2.
In what was becoming a very exciting top of the table clash, both teams were pushing to end the half ahead.
In the 40th minute, Zoe Cunningham gave Argyle their 3rd goal of the afternoon. However, it wasn’t enough for them to lead at half time, as 2 minutes later Watford got their equaliser. Watford were awarded a free-kick, and despite a good fingertips save from Middleton, they were able to score from the resulting corner.
The teams went in for half time with 3 goals apiece, and with how both teams had been playing, the second half was bound to have a few more.
Watford opened the scoring in the second half. A free-kick was curled into the top corner, with nothing that Middleton could do to stop it.
Just as the game began to slow down, Argyle were level again. Becky Dandridge got her name on the score sheet for Argyle’s 4th.
Watford saw the first use of the Sin Bin this season, as they were down to 10 for 10 minutes. However, it didn’t stop them from adding yet another goal. A well-timed cross and a diving header put them back in the lead. They then should’ve made it 6, but Ward couldn’t capitalise despite being 1 on 1 with the keeper.
The game ended 4-5 to Watford. The 9 goal thriller marked a special occasion for Argyle, in front of a crowd of over 800.
