The 26/27 Women’s National League Southern Premier Division got off to a flying start at The Nigel Eady County Ground as Swindon Town hosted Plymouth Argyle in an exciting match featuring end-to-end action, comebacks from both sides, and more goals than any other fixture this opening weekend.
Off the back of winning the FA Women’s National League Division One South West last season, newly promoted Swindon Town now find themselves in a new league against new opposition. This season, Swindon will be looking to build on last season’s high by cementing their place in this league or even securing back-to-back promotions.
Plymouth Argyle fell short of promotion to the WSL2 after suffering a narrow defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the promotion playoff final. They’ll be trying to repeat their efforts of last season to push for promotion and hoping to achieve it this time around.
Both sides have something to prove this season, and this match certainly showcased the character and style you’d expect with their ambition.
With a crowd of 360 people in attendance, Swindon utilised being at home to their advantage, controlling the early exchanges of the match.
Despite this, it was the away side that opened the scoring in the third minute through Shana Dolbel, who found the back of the net in front of The Town End. 0-1.
The Robins nearly found a way back into the game after a continuous run of corners but couldn’t convert any of their chances after forcing saves from Argyle keeper Olivia Giles.
It didn’t take long for Swindon to strike back. Plymouth defender Aliyat Lambe gave away a free kick in a dangerous position. From the resulting set piece, Taylor Macdonald found the back of the net to draw the sides level. 1-1.
For a good ten minutes, the chances were evenly split as both sides searched for a goal that would put them in front. Both created promising opportunities, with Plymouth looking the more likely to score despite Swindon enjoying the greater share of possession.
The final goal before half-time came in the 28th minute and just like the previous goal, it came from a set piece. Plymouth won a free kick, with Kiesha Walker delivering a dangerous cross into the Swindon box for Ellie Bishop to rise highest and clinically head home. Despite Swindon’s strong spell, the visitors had restored their lead. 1-2.
The next 15 minutes were largely played in midfield, with both sides’ approaches becoming increasingly clear.
Swindon looked to retain possession and build patiently from the back, while Plymouth made the most of their opportunities on the ball with quick counter-attacks and set pieces.
Despite trailing by a goal, the hosts created the better chances heading into the break. Their attacking pressure and determination to stay on the front foot would prove crucial in the second half.
HALF-TIME: Swindon Town 1-2 Plymouth Argyle
The first half had offered set-piece quality and attacking resilience from both sides, providing plenty of entertainment for both sets of supporters. However, it felt like only a glimpse of what was to come after the break.
If Plymouth had done enough to edge the first half, Swindon had shown they were more than capable of turning the game around in the second.
The Robins returned with the same intensity and energy they had shown before the interval, looking anything but a side trailing on home soil.
Swindon immediately looked to rectify the deficit and, much like the opening stages of the match, launched a barrage of corners and attacks to put the Argyle defence under pressure.
This time, however, it was the hosts who struck first.
Swindon skipper Annie Colston got her name on the scoresheet in the 50th minute, bringing the Robins level once again and setting up a thrilling second half. 2-2.
The balance would not last long, though, as Swindon began to look increasingly likely to score again, with the majority of the chances falling their way.
Having already fought back twice, the Robins had no intention of settling for a draw and continued to push forward in search of a winning goal.
That breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute. Swindon advanced towards the Town End, with Giles coming off her line to meet the onrushing attack. However, Tori St Clair got the better of the goalkeeper, leaving herself with an open goal to aim at. She made no mistake, calmly placing the ball into the back of the net to put Swindon ahead for the first time in the match and, crucially, for the first time this season. 3-2.
With more than half an hour still to play, Swindon knew the game was far from over. Their two earlier comebacks had shown just how quickly the momentum could shift, while Plymouth’s forwards continued to pose a threat in front of goal. The hosts therefore continued to press for a decisive fourth.
That goal eventually arrived in spectacular fashion in the 79th minute. Izzy Cook unleashed a superb strike from outside the box, finding the top-right corner of the net to give Swindon a two-goal cushion and put them firmly in control. 4-2.
It was becoming increasingly clear that Swindon were on course to claim all three points, with Plymouth appearing to run out of energy as they continued to fend off wave after wave of attacks from the hosts.
The Robins refused to let up until the final whistle, with the home support urging them on as they chanted, ‘We want five’. However, despite their continued pressure, the scoreline remained unchanged for the rest of the match.
FULL-TIME: Swindon Town 4-2 Plymouth Argyle
Overall, the match was a showcase of individual brilliance and collective teamwork, producing an entertaining opening-day contest filled with drama, attacking football, and six goals. It would be hard to argue against it being the standout game of the opening weekend.
For Swindon, the result secures three points and a winning start to their Women’s National League Southern Premier Division campaign. The victory lifts the Robins into second place, with only goal difference separating them from leaders Oxford.
They will now travel to Fratton Park next weekend to face Portsmouth, who are searching for their first competitive win in six matches following relegation from WSL2 last season.
For Plymouth, it was a disappointing start to the season, but one they will look to learn from and put right next time out. The defeat leaves Argyle ninth on goal difference, with eighth-placed AFC Wimbledon their next visitors.
Teams:
SWINDON TOWN STARTING XI: Cox, Sherwood, Meade, Osborne-Ricketts, St Clair, Macdonald, Colston ( C ), Cook, Diaz-Butcher, King, Bedwell.
SUBS: Davies (63’), Radburn (83’), Russell-Cartwright (85’), Clayton (85’), Waylen, Smith.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE STARTING XI: Giles, Lambe, Bishop ( C ), Curnock, Dolbel, Walker, Gilbert, Garside, Ambrose, Magee, Reed.
SUBS: Ingrouille (64’), Bettey (70’), Walters, Burrows, Coaker.
