Falmouth Town 0, Plymouth Argyle 1 ALEX BATTLE’s first-half penalty was enough for Plymouth Argyle to bring Falmouth Town’s six-match winning run to a shuddering halt at Bickland Park on Saturday, writes Matt Friday.

Battle’s spot-kick gave Argyle the initiative at the interval, and a strong second-half display couldn’t save Falmouth from falling to their first defeat since the opening day of the season.

Both teams started brightly with Joe Cooper on hand to clear Juke Jephcott’s dangerous cross, while Ollie Walker’s call for a penalty at the other end was denied shortly after.

The lively Walker was giving Argyle the run-around in the first half, and a mazy run from inside his own half saw him beat four men before being fouled on the edge of the box.

However Argyle led on 38 minutes when Rio Garside’s volley struck Ryan Martt’s hand and the referee awarded a penalty. SWPL top-scorer Battle converted for his 11th of the season.

Argyle would take that slender lead going into half-time, but Walker almost levelled for Town before the break with a brilliant effort from the edge of the box that struck the post.

Falmouth enjoyed a sustained period of pressure after the break. Joe Cooper headed wide from a corner before Jordan Bentley superbly blocked Walker’s latest effort.

Argyle had Max Childs to thank for keeping the score 1-0, with the goalkeeper denying Marcello Jones before producing a flying save to tip over Tom Annear’s goalbound free-kick.

With time running out Falmouth looked to more creative ways of finding the equaliser, with Jones’ speculative overhead kick being blocked before Jephcott shot wide at the other end.

Childs then capped off an excellent game by producing a remarkable triple save to deny Jones, Walker and Will Trew in quick succession to ensure Argyle escaped with the win.

Packet Pick: Ollie Walker – Played well both on the wing and in the striker role with his pace causing problems all afternoon. Just needed a goal to cap off his performance.

Falmouth: R Barnes, D Blizzard, O Moody, T Annear, J Cooper, R Martt (D Broglino 65), L Brabyn (J Ward 75), J Webber, M Jones, O Walker, H Clarke (W Trew 75).

Falmouth’s next match is a trip to Saltash United on Saturday.