PLYMOUTH Argyle were bitterly disappointed to have their first South West Combination League home fixture against AFC Team Bath postponed.

The reason given by Bath, who had already played a number of pre-season games, was that they only had 10 players signed on. 

That is a shocking revelation for a club in a league just two levels below the very top flight and a very poor advertisement for women's football in general. Indeed, only one of the six scheduled games last weekend took place and that saw Forest Green Rovers win 3-0 at AFC Bournemouth. 

Penzance are also in deep trouble as they had their match at Yeovil Town postponed due to a lack of players. 

Penzance manager Christian Lett stood down, and a number of players moved to Truro City which left the Magpies short of players for the fixture.

Indeed, Argyle's visit to Penzance on Sunday is also in the balance. It is understood the League Committee is to review the events.    

What is disappointing is that Argyle were punished last season by having to travel to AFC Bourne-mouth and Southampton late in the season after both were allowed to make a late postponement of matches, which would enable them to field stronger teams when they did meet.

The FA must look into the conduct of the league, although the league have yet to confirm they are carrying out an investigation. A message from league secretary Roger Reeves said: 'Rest assured the League has, as last season, everything under control.'

Unfortunately, the league's administration is one of the reasons, after two years as runners-up, Argyle are desperate to win promotion this year.  

Chairman Ross Symons said: 'It's happening all over again and nothing is done about it.'

Symons added: 'Our playing budget for this season is about £25,000 and we are virtually self funding.

'Argyle help out with a number of things, but it is the ladies' team who raise the money.'

Symons was delighted to announce that the team's new sponsors are Bardon Concrete and the continued patronage of Manning & Company. 

The club were also thankful to the Plymouth Argyle Far Post Club, who allowed the holding of a Race Night recently – the first of three arranged. This raised a valuable £1,500. 

In place of the AFC Team Bath fixture, Argyle took on their second team in an open friendly game at Bolitho Park, which they won 7-0.

Argyle have also announced the signings of Plymouth-based Chelsea Easton, who joins from Truro City, and Rose Knuckey, who was Penzance's top scorer last season in the Cornish club's promotion campaign. 

Meanwhile, Argyle top scorer Chloe Roberts earned her first England cap when she played the full 90 minutes in the England Under- 19s' team which beat Ireland 3-0.  

Roberts, 17, is anxiously waiting to see if she is in the England Under-20 squad which is competing in the Under-20 World Cup in Chile.  

It is the same for 16-year-old Jemma Rose, who is awaiting a call-up to the England Under-17 squad which is competing in the first Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand.