A four goal haul from Natasha Knapman helped Argyle Ladies come away from Cheltenham with all three points to make it five wins in a row. But it was not the best of games as the pitch was of a poor standard which tended to nullify the lady Pilgrims close passing style of play.
The management impressed upon the players before the kick off that their touch had to be perfect and that they needed to play the channels. Unfortunately this appeared to fall on deaf ears as the bigger more physical Cheltenham put Argyle out of their comfort zone.
This changed on the half hour mark when Knapman headed in the opening goal.
Director of Football Trevor Rodd called over captain Kate Middleton to give her fresh instructions and to change the formation to a 4-3-3. This worked almost immediately when Knapman volleyed in her second.
The girls were reminded of their responsibilities at half time which they took on board. Argyle pressed the hosts and started to play the way Rodd wanted them to.
Ten Minutes into the second half Knapman struck again during a goal mouth scramble to complete her hat trick.
Rodd then rang the changes by taking Jessie Boston off to be replaced by Ezme Wells. And within three minutes Wells struck when she converted a Zoe Cunningham cross from close range.
Tori Marks came on for Kayleigh Brown to become the front runner with Knapman withdrawing to a number ten role.
Becky Atkins then came on for Cunningham and within five minutes Knapman fired into the far corner of net to complete her impressive afternoons work.
Rodd said: ‘I wasn’t happy at the start of the game as the players didn’t take on board what we impressed upon them before the match. But once we got the opening goal I was able to change the system and to be fair to the girls they adapted well and they will learn from it.’