Plymouth Argyle Women hoping it is third time lucky against Exeter City

Plymouth Argyle Women have got 'five cup finals' left to play as they battle to stay in the FA Women's National Southern Premier Division, head coach James Bradley has declared.

That important run of games starts with an away Devon derby against third-placed Exeter City at Coach Road, Newton Abbot, this evening (7.45pm). Argyle dropped back into the relegation zone when Billericay Town moved above them by winning 5-1 at home to bottom-of-the-table MK Dons on Sunday.

The Greens have already lost twice at home to their county rivals this season, losing 3-0 in the league in October and 5-1 in the Women's FA Cup second round the following month.

Bradley, who took over as head coach from Ryan Perks last month, said: "I have been at the club a long time so always understand what a Devon derby means to the whole football club. I think we are prepared and really excited for the game.

"I think there is always something to prove when you play them. We have had a good couple of weeks on the training pitch so hopefully we can put that good work into practice."

Exeter have had a strong first season in the Southern Premier Division after being promoted last term, with a record of 11 wins, three draws and four defeats from 18 games.

Bradley said: "They are a physical and intense team so we need to match that first and foremost. I'm hoping our technical ability can be put on show and we can be nice and calm in possession, pass the ball to each other and pass forwards and run forwards whenever possible."

Argyle are one point behind both Billericay and Cheltenham Town in the table, and have two games in hand on the former and one on the latter. With MK Dons already relegated, the other spot is likely to be filled by one of those three sides.

Bradley said: "I think it's going to go right to the wire. We have got five games to go - five cup finals really - and hopefully we can start that run with a good result (against Exeter)."

Argyle missed out on an opportunity to ease their relegation worries in their last match when they conceded a spectacular last-gasp equaliser as Billericay snatched a 2-2 draw at Home Park. "I have been coaching for 10 years and it was the most frustrated I have ever been," admitted Bradley.

He added: "This is my first time coaching the women's team but it has been a fantastic experience. Individually they have all been fantastic with me.

"I have got some good work into them on the training pitch over the last few weeks and hopefully we can put that into practice (against Exeter) and then moving forwards into the last four games after that.

"The ambition for the club is to keep moving forwards. There is going to be some investment in the summer, hopefully we can stay in this division and then we can start climbing up the leagues.

"I know over the last few years it has gone to the wire, gone to the last game, and I think the vision for the club is to start climbing that table and start looking above us." Asked whether he would like to be part of that journey with the Argyle Women's team, Bradley replied: "Those conversations are ongoing."

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