GILLINGHAM 2 ARGYLE WOMEN 0

Two first-half goals from Georgia Griffin were enough for Gillingham to inflict defeat on Argyle Women in Kent.

Griffin’s brace, with an early strike and a second just before the half-hour mark, gave the Gills motivation and confidence, and saw them through the encounter. Argyle came close to bouncing back on numerous occasions, but home goalkeeper Cara Davis kept the ball out of the net and helped her side to a clean sheet.

The game began with Gillingham putting pressure on the Greens and taking an early lead through forward Griffin. Motivated by their positive start, the Gills continued to stretch the Argyle defence further, forcing Argyle keeper Jasmine Read into numerous saves.

Argyle had glimpses of brilliance in the middle stages. A clever pass from Charlotte Whitmore gave Lily Greenslade the opportunity to break through in the 26th minute, but the Gills defence cleared the danger.

Seconds after Greenslade’s chance, Griffin extended the home side’s lead after a pinpoint cross found her run at the far post.

The second half saw the Greens begin to apply pressure, with Whitmore and skipper Zoe Cunningham having chances which Davis denied.

Greenslade was sin-binned following a collision in the penalty area with a Gillingham defender.

Gaffer Ryan Perks attempted to turn the tide by bringing on Imy Crawford, Amber Pollock and Tiana Campbell towards the end of the second half. The substitutes contributed to Argyle’s most dominant period of the game, but a goal would not come.

Argyle’s final major chance of the match came from Georgia Wilson who received the ball in open space just inside the area and blasted the ball goalwards. The ball flew towards the top left-hand corner of the goal but ‘keeper Davis was quick to react, tipping the well-struck shot over the bar before the referee blew for full-time.