Devon derby delight for Plymouth Argyle Women in ‘electric’ Home Park clash

A large crowd boosted by free entry witnessed a fiercely contested Devon derby as Plymouth Argyle Women FC claimed a 2-0 victory over Exeter City Women FC at Home Park on Wednesday evening.

With tickets available free of charge for both the match and the club’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Sport event, anticipation had been building throughout the week.

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Exeter threatened early, winning a corner after a quick counter-attack led by Amber Pollock down the left. 

Argyle responded defensively, with Arabella Suttie flicking clear at the near post before Tamara Wilcock completed the clearance. 

City continued to probe, and Sophie Gillies forced a comfortable save from Argyle goalkeeper Hermione Cull with a long-range effort. 

At the other end, Una Lue thought she had given the Greens the lead on 12 minutes, only for her effort to be ruled out for offside.

The first half was punctuated by a series of bookings as the derby edge showed. 

Phoebie Poole was cautioned for a foul on Ishbel Zuurmond, while Layla Proctor also entered the referee’s notebook. 

Roisin Kivel provided a lively outlet down the left for Argyle and delivered a teasing run and cross that Una Lue could not convert from inside the box.

As the rain continued to fall, both sides created half-chances. Leah Burridge fired over from a free-kick for Exeter, while Proctor headed over for Argyle. 

Katie Wilson produced a timely tackle to deny Gillies a clear sight of goal, and despite late first-half pressure, including a driving run and shot wide from Olivia Francis, the sides went in level at 0-0.

Argyle began the second half on the front foot. Phoebe Hampson tested Abbi Bond from the back post, and a well-worked free-kick nearly fell for Poole before Exeter hacked clear.

The breakthrough arrived just after the hour mark on 65 minutes. Hampson collected the ball on the right flank and unleashed an excellent strike that flew past Bond to spark celebrations among the home support.

Hampson’s goal shifted the game’s momentum in Argyle’s favour. 

Kivel almost doubled the advantage when she capitalised on a defensive lapse to shoot from close range, only for Bond to react sharply and push the ball away. 

Argyle continued to press, forcing corners and applying sustained pressure as Exeter sought a route back into the contest.

Exeter remained a threat from set-pieces and nearly found an equaliser in the closing stages. 

A goalmouth scramble saw the ball cleared off the line, and Amber Pollock had a late opportunity blocked by a crowd of green shirts.

As the game moved into five minutes of added time, Argyle held firm. Exeter forced one final corner, but the hosts survived the pressure.

Deep into stoppage time, Argyle sealed the victory. Tianna Teisar burst forward to add a second goal in the 96th minute, prompting jubilant scenes and confirming three valuable points in the derby.

After the match, Argyle head coach Marie Hourihan praised both her players and the atmosphere generated inside Home Park.

“The players were so excited about today's game. In that second half the atmosphere was fantastic and electric. I really feel it massively benefitted the players and drove the players on.”

Ahead of kick-off, supporters were invited to attend the Celebration of Women and Girls in Sport event, which began at 2.30pm and featured live demonstrations and have-a-go sessions across a range of activities including wrestling, dance, cricket, rugby, football, netball and volleyball. 

Hosted across indoor venues including Club Argyle, the Green Taverners and Plymouth Life Centre, the event ensured attendees could stay dry despite the wet weather outside.

On the pitch, however, it was Argyle who provided the headline act, edging a competitive contest and claiming derby bragging rights in front of an enthusiastic crowd.