Cunningham is keen for women to look ahead

CAPTAIN Zoe Cunningham is hoping the Plymouth Argyle women’s team can look higher up the table next season after securing their place in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Argyle made sure of avoiding relegation in their final fixture when they beat MK Dons 3-0, with Cunningham scoring two of the goals.

It meant Ryan Perks’ side finished 10th out of 12 teams with a record of six wins, one draw and 15 defeats from their 22 games.

Cunningham collected a hat-trick prizes at Argyle’s Awards Night at Home Park, held jointly with the men’s team, including the women’s goal of the season and supporters’ player of the season.

She also received the Jack Leslie Respect Award, for ‘her class and commitment to Argyle with a string of important, captain-like performances’ after her mum passed away in October.

When asked about her hopes for Argyle next season, Cunningham replied: “Ideally, just not leaving it until the last minute and pushing on again.

“We are so close to getting over that line of being a more competitive team and looking higher up the table. I really hope next season we can do that and build on what we have been doing over the last two or three years.”

Cunningham has played in 130 games for Argyle over six seasons. She scored six goals in a total of 24 matches this term as she led the team to safety in the Southern Premier Division, as well as to the League Cup quarter-finals and the final of the Devon Women’s Premier Cup.