Stacey nets Plymouth Argyle vital home win against Swindon Town

SOUTH WEST COMBINATION LEAGUE

Plymouth Argyle...1 Swindon Town 0

PLYMOUTH Argyle Ladies moved back up to fourth in the Combination League after leapfrogging Swindon Town thanks to a Sarah Stacey strike.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, Argyle had the better of the first half, but were unable to convert a couple of good openings, until Stacey slotted home after rounding the advancing Town goalkeeper Robyn Levett on 45 minutes.

Much of the game was played out in the midfield area, and home goalkeeper Michaela Phillips was untroubled throughout the game.

Argyle have matches in hand on the top three.

SOUTH WEST LEAGUE WESTERN DIVISION ONE

Truro City...2 Marine Academy Plymouth...3

MARINE Academy have put themselves firmly in the championship race after a dramatic win at Truro City.

After winning 3-2 at home last week to take away Truro's unbeaten record the Plymouth side travelled into Cornwall for return match and emerged victorious again with a last-minute winner from captain Grace O'Leary.

MAP began brightly and deservedly took a 15th minute lead when Leanne Griffiths struck a shot from the edge of the area that deflected off a defender to find the back of the net.

Although having the elements in their favour, MAP were struggling to build on their impressive start and the home side gradually got on top and were well worth their equaliser on the half-hour mark.

On the stroke of half-time MAP restored their advantage with a piece of Sam Drewery magic.

Drewery skipped past two defenders in the final third, before unleashing a drive past the home goalkeeper.

The second half resumed with MAP in control resulting in several half-chances. But a combination of good goalkeeping and wayward finishing kept the scoreline the same.

However, with five minutes remaining Truro equalised with their only effort on goal in the second half.

With MAP knowing only a win would be sufficient to realistically give them a chance for the title, they attacked straight from the restart and pinned the home side in their own half.

As the game entered the final minute and looking destined for draw, a surging run from Drewery ended with the midfielder being scythed down on the edge of the area.

From the resultant free-kick Griffiths' goal-bound shot was blocked by the Truro defenders only for the ball to drop to O'Leary, who turned sharply to steer the ball into the corner off the inside of the post.

Marine Academy joint manager Alan Thomas said: "It was a fantastic result which opens up the title race for us.

"We were disappointed with our first half performance and reminded the girls at half-time the standards we expect of them.

"To their credit they responded with a quality second half display to justify us taking all three points.

"We still have tough fixtures ahead and it promises to be a exciting climax to the season."

DEVON WOMEN'S LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Brixham....5 Tavistock...4

TAVISTOCK were denied a draw by a last-gasp goal by the hosts in a high-scoring clash at Brixham.

Tavvy looked like they had earned a draw with a goal in injury-time, but Brixham grabbed the win with practically the last kick of the game.

Robyn Hammond scored two goals for Tavistock, with Sarah Martin and Donna Weeks adding their others.