Plymouth Argyle head coach Marie Hourihan wasn’t pleased with what she saw from her side in the first half of the Devon derby against Exeter City on Tuesday night.
And she let her team know about it at half-time, she revealed.
Exeter took the lead in the 71st minute through Sophie Gillies, but just nine minutes later, Wales international Tianna Teisar scored the equaliser that secured a point.
Plymouth Argyle are currently fourth in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier division.
“In the second half, we showed a lot more fight and played more of the way that we wanted to,” Hourihan told Argyle TV.
“We didn’t get dragged into the direct play and physical game, which we did in the first half. We didn’t manage it well at all and got dragged into a game that doesn’t suit us in that opening 45 minutes, which is a credit to Exeter. They had a game plan, and it was effective, affecting us in the first half.
“Some words were said at half-time, and we got that reaction.”
She went on: “Yes, it was disappointing that it took going a goal behind to galvanise us, but I thought the subs that we made today came on and affected the game in a really positive way.
“Tianna got the equalising goal and was really positive, bright on the ball, and drove the team forward. Towards the end of the game, in the last 10 minutes, we felt we had the ascendancy, but just couldn’t force the ball home.
“The main thing is that at least we didn’t lose the game. We take a point from here and move on to Sunday against Gwalia.”
Marie Hourihan: Tianna Teisar is a fantastic player
Hourihan had praise for Teisar, who made her international debut last week.
“I’m delighted for her. I think she’s come in and been a breath of fresh air. You see her being smiley, happy, confident, and she’s a fantastic player in full flow. Coming on for the last 15 to 20 minutes of the game, she brought that energy and directness, and got us up the pitch.
“She just wanted the ball, which was the big thing that we were missing, especially in that first half. That’s credit to Tianna, and we’re all so delighted for her to make her international debut. It’s thoroughly deserved.”
