Morecambe vs Argyle - Match Report

The pilgrims arrived at the home of Morecambe, the globe Arena Stadium, in high spirits following the conformation last Saturday that Argyle will be playing in the football league next season.   The last away game on the season proved to be the longest journey off all the away game totalling an astonishing 663miles from Home Park to Morecambe and back.  There were 4 changes from Saturdays draw at home to Oxford.  The changes were Ollie Chenoweth for Jake Cole, Ashley Hemming coming in for rested Paul Wotton, Ladjie Soukouna taking the place in midfield for injured captain Simon Walton and Onismor Bhasera being replaced by Alex MacDonald. 

They 500+ green army were in loud voice once again on their travels across the country.  The lads from Devon started very brightly and in the 4^th minute they took the lead from a long ball, from on loan Wolves winger Ashley Hemming who found loyal boy Luke Young in plenty of space to fire home the first goal of the afternoon.  1-0 to the Argyle.  Another loyal lad Ollie Chenoweth who was making his debut in goal he didn’t have much to do in the whole to the first half with the back for keeping the strikers quiet with them not testing number 33 Chenoweth.  It was nearly 2-0 to Argyle who had the advantage of the wind in the first half when Soukouna nicked onto an in swinging cross put it narrowly wide of the post and into the side netting.  It was the pilgrims who the better side were passing the ball comfortably and in control of the game.  Whenever Morecambe were in possession of the football Argyle brock them down and started an attack.  Half time had approached with the greens leading Morecambe by one goal to nil.  I don’t think Argyle wanted the half to end by the way they were in possession and control of the game. 

The players came out for the second half with Argyle shooting towards their own fans.  The managers had chosen to make no changes to the teams during the 15minute interval.  This half was the home sides within the first 10minutes off the restart Burrow had equalised from a header to pass debutant Ollie Chenoweth in goal.  Scores level at 1-1.  From that moment on Morecambe had grown into the game forcing some save from Chenoweth. With the scores levels at 1-1 it was the home side to make the first change of the afternoon with Lewis Alessandra replacing Danny Carlton. What a substitution that was to be.  Soon after that Morecambe were to take the lead after a chip over Ollie Chenoweth by Lewis Alessandra, who had come right to the edge to his area to clear it but unfortunately for him he was unable to get to the ball before the oncoming strike.  2-1 to Morecambe.  The goal galore wasn’t to end there. Morecambe pressed and pressed for a third goal to kill the game off but hard work from the back 4 to prevented that from happening.  Argyle was still in the game right from the first whistle to the last.  Carl Fletcher was going to make two changes with 10minutes to go until the full time whistle.  The changes that took place were Nick Chadwick coming on for Alex MacDonald and Joe Lennox replacing Luke Young who had been booked and brought off before he had been sent off.  It was to be a magical substitution from Carl Fletcher with minutes Argyle had equalised. Stand in Captain Darren Purse had scored from a header from a free kick that was taken inside Argyles own half and with the keeper dropping the ball it gave Purse the chance to equalise.  Scores 2-2.  Both teams were pushing for a winning goal but the goals ended their with the scores level at 2-2.  The full time whistle had gone with the 3minutes of extra time being played.  It was nice to play a game of football without being under any pressure and worrying about other teams below the greens. 

Let’s pack Home Park for the last game of the season against play-off contenders Cheltenham Town.  There will also be a familiar face returning to the theatre of greens when Cheltenham comes to town.  That is Plymouth Born midfielder Luke Summerfield who moved to the Gloucester club after being released from the pilgrims last season.    See you all at 3pm.  Don’t miss out.  We’re Plymouth Argyle and we’ll always believe.  GREEN ARMY. 

Morecambe vs Argyle - Match Preview

Today’s game against Morecambe at the Globe Arena Stadium is the first game of the season where there is no pressure on the pilgrims.  The second to last game, but the last away game of the season, is expected to have a huge away following as the pilgrims confirmed football league status for next season.  

 Simon Walton didn’t travel with the squad yesterday as they made the 7hour trip up north as the midfielder is recovering from a dislocated shoulder that he picked up in training last Friday.   Veteran midfielder Paul Wotton is one booking away from 15 yellows.  This will mean a three game suspension for the Plymothian if he is to pick up another yellow.  Carl Fletcher has already made an announcement of who is going to be between the sticks come 3 o’clock this afternoon.  That is 20year old Cornishmen Ollie Chenoweth who is also going to be making his debut for Plymouth Argyle.  On loan striker Steve Fletcher is too make his final appearance in a green shirt this afternoon as he will return to parent club AFC Bournemouth next week.  Bid farewell with a goal.  

Argyle vs Oxford - Match Report

It was a great day in the history of Argyle and properly the most memorable day in the 125 years the club has been in existent.  Safe from non-league football was such a relief. Looking back at the start the greens have made such an improvement from the start off the season when the pilgrims only managed 1point from a possible 27points and struggling to defend and score goals.  The day Plymouth Argyle secured football league status for next season.  There were two notable changes for the pilgrims with Steve Fletcher on loan from Bournemouth replacing on loan striker Alex MacDonald in a straight stop.  He looked certain that the change was taken for Big Fletch to hold the ball up and flick it onto his strike partner for the afternoon which was number 11 Warren Feeney.  Conor Hourihane replaced the Captain Simon Walton in midfield who was out of today’s match with an arm injury.  There were also two changes on the bench from the defeat to Swindon last Saturday.  Nick Chadwick had overcome an injury.  Whilst Ladjie Sounkoua had a place on the bench, being out for a couple of months with a knee injury.

It was Oxford to kick-off first with the pilgrims shooting towards the Barn Park End.  It was the home side to come out of the blocks first when Luke Young was fouled just outside of the penalty box inside the first minute. It was both the free kick specialists Williams and Wotton to line the ball line.  As you would have thought Wotton must take it but it was the left back Robbie Williams to smash it.  Bang it went in the back off the net 1-0 to the Argyle with a huge deflection coming of a united defender.  With the green Army chanting ‘We are staying up’ enjoying every moment of it.  It was back to the centre circle for Oxford who had only kicked off in the exact same position 2minutes ago.   The score line nearly double with Luke Young who forced that free kick volleyed the ball straight across the box with the goalkeeper making a safe forcing the first corner of the game.  From that moment in Oxford started to put presser on the pilgrims back four but the team that have kept  7 clean sheets in 13games stood tall and defended extremely well. The score line stayed the same when the clock passed the 30minute mark. When the lads from the Kassam Stadium were passing it out wide in spaces and drawing the midfield with them, when Asa Hall was found in the middle off the park free from any pressure when suddenly he unleashed a power shot with Jake Cole scrabbling to get a hand to the ball.  Argyle 1-1 Oxford United.  Half time was some approaching with oxford in control of the game after that goal which gave the travelling team a lift.  Half Time PAFC 1-1 OUFC.

Oxford was first out after half time with Argyle taking their time to get out onto the pitch.  This time they were shooting towards the Devonport end where the Green Army were housed.  United started the second half as they finished the first mounting pressure on the pilgrims midfield and defenders but they stayed on their feet and defended well to prevent united from getting a second in the game. But the Kassam lads were too much to handle with the quick and tidy passing that they were playing right through from the defence to the midfield and straight to the strikers.  Minutes later a united free kick nearly went in from an Adam Chapman but from the relief for the green army it deflecting of the post for Blanchard to kick away from any other danger that Oxford was going to pile on the pilgrims.  With the greens failing to get control of the game Carl Fletcher was the man to make the first change of the afternoon with Alex MacDonald coming on for Warren Fenney a tactical substitution for the men in green and white to get some fresh legs on the field to run at the defenders.  Soon after MacDonald had come on he had shooting chance that he took but it was straight at the opposition goalkeeper Brown.  Steve Fletcher had a chance to take the lead from Luke Young’s cross but veteran keeper Brown had it well covered.   Full time was over with the forth official issuing 4minutes of injury time to be played.  Most of the green army hands were in their mouths by this time.  Oxford was still pushing to get a winner.  A cross came in from the right hand side with Man of the Match Darren Purse trying to clear but fortunately the ball ended up in Coles hands that could have gone anywhere. Full time was over the draw was the right result PAFC 1 – 1 OUFC.  We were just awaiting the results from the bottom two teams.  Macclesfield failed to win at Bradford and Hereford drew at home to Northampton. 

The great news had come through Argyle had secured football league status for next season.  What a turnaround from the start of season when we were 8points from safety but now we are 7points from relegation and free from the drop.  What a tremendous job that Fletcher has done through thick and thin.  WERE PLYMOUTH ARGYLE AND WE ‘LL ALWAYS BELIEVE!! GREEN ARMY!!

Argyle vs Oxford United - Match Preview

Is today going to be the day when the pilgrims secure football league status for next season.  If they are going to do it they will have to overcome playoff contenders Oxford United.  The opposition team would also have to win to push for the top 7 places.  For Argyle to play football league next season they must ensure the win, draw with Macclesfield and Hereford failing to win.  Finally the pilgrims can still ensure league football if they lose and both Hereford and Macclesfield lose.

There will be a familiar face returning to Home Park come 3pm this afternoon.  This is Tony Capaldi.  He spent 4 successful years in Plymouth playing a huge part in the promotion seasons.  A Northern Ireland international making 22 appearances in total. The left back broke the record for international appearances made by a Plymouth Argyle player when he was awarded his 21^st cap in a friendly against Wales.

Be loud and proud, we’re Plymouth Argyle and we will stay up. GREEN ARMY

Swindon Town vs Argyle - Match Report

With Paolo Di Canio in charge for the Robins on one knew what to expect.  The pilgrims arrived at the County Ground in high spirits but were disheartened with the way the game turned out.  There were 2 changes from the victory over Play-off contenders Aldershot Town on Bank Holiday Monday.  Nick Chadwick was missing through injury, while Jake Cole was recalled after he had sat out of Monday’s game through a groin injury.  There was also one late change for the robins with the vice-captain Alan McCormack rushing to the nearby hospital to be with his pregnant wife for the birth of their first child.  That enabled regular Captain Paul Caddis to make a name for him after being out of the starting line-up for a while.

Swindon Town won the toss and decided to kick off.  So the pilgrims were shooting towards the- The Adkins Family Stand.  As you would expect from the home side they passed the football within triangles and into spaces preventing Argyle from even getting a touch or blocking out a shot from the Robins.  It took the pilgrims plenty of time to settle into the game and build up a couple of passes within some of the midfield players.  With the Robins being at Home they are also hard to beat and break down their formation that they are playing on that day.  The first half was well underway when the Robins had the first shot goal bound of the afternoon, Jake Cole had it covered!!  With Alex MacDonald hoping to add to his tally of goals that had reached 4 after that goal against Aldershot.  He was doing all he could, run at defenders and chasing flick on’s from target man Alex MacDonald to grab a goal to celebrate his 22^nd Birthday.   The first half whistle had gone after 1minute of injury time.  It was much of a chasing game for Argyle.  You could tell Swindon were top of the table with the football but not so with the fans as the green army were chanting all along.  With the character that was Paolo Di Canio it was very interesting watching him with the signals he gave to his players out on the field and also on the bench.    

With the great following off over 1000 green army we were expected to make as much noise as possible.  And so we did not disappoint chanting from the kick-off right until the full time whistle.  What great support who follow Plymouth Argyle around the country wherever we stand in the current league table.  Are average away support is more than 700; keep it up you green army lovers.

Both teams came out for the second half with the green army all fired up and ready to make some noise to rally the pilgrims onto three precious points that would have guarantee our football league status for next season.  The pilgrims started very bright which may have coursed a change of formation or statics from the pilgrims Player-Manager Carl Fletcher.  The pilgrims grew and grew into the game leaving the Robins chasing the ball for very long periods of the game.  With Carl Fletcher opting to move Onismor Bhasera into a more acting position to keep the ball upfront with chadders missing.  We then started to keep the football then move it into dangerous spaces to course Swindon problems.  Paolo Di Canio was the first manager to make a change to the team with Alan Connell replacing Ronan Murray.   A straight swap for the Wiltshire club.  After Di Canio had made that substitution Swindon grew into the game more and more.  It was soon time to introduce on-loan winger Ashley Hemmings who replaced Alex MacDonald.  Carl Fletcher had changed the formation again with Hemmings stepping into a wide role with Luke Young moving into a central midfield role.  The substitution nearly made an impact with the number 31 just shooting wide of the left hand post from a Feeney lay-off.  With Fletcher realising this it took no time for Steve Fletcher to make an appearance coming on for Warren Feeney. This change suited the versatile Ashley Hemmings who likes to run onto balls in wide areas and trouble the defenders. With two players now flicking the football onto Ashley Hemmings and the oncoming wingers to hopefully grab a goal.  The whole team looked comfortable the goalkeeper right through to the target men.  But suddenly the Wiltshire club took the lead through second half substitution Alan Connell shooting past Jake Cole.  This goal broke many Green Army travelling fans that had made the journey to the County Ground. Full Time was approaching when the fourth Offical put up the board for 4 minutes injury time.  Both Onismor Bhasera and Luke Young had shot just wide with Argyle inches close to equaliser.   The referee had blown the whistle Argyle had lost 1-0 but they didn’t get what they deserved.  We should have at least got a point from the result.  But the game was overshadowed by the appearance of the Swindon chairman from the tunnel after the game to announce the passing of Paolo Di Canio mother late on Friday night.  Our thoughts go out to the family. 

Next Saturday’s game is so crucial against Oxford that with a win could see us retain football league status for next season.  See you all at Home Park. GREEN ARMY.

Swindon Town Vs Argyle - Match Preview

Today Argyle host top flying Swindon Town at the County Ground.  With the pilgrims hoping to spoil the party they only need 3points to clinch safety in the Football League to secure their spot for next season.  On the other hand Swindon will be aiming for a win to be promoted.  This will only be the case if Torquay or Crawley fails to win. Could it be a re-right of last season’s result with Argyle winning the match in the last few seconds from a Bradley Wright-Phillips headed goal to make it Swindon 2-3 Argyle.  We had also come from 2-0 down after the half time.  What a result that was!!!  With a notable changed squad from the inexperienced one we had in October (when we played Swindon) Carl Fletcher will be aiming to making some changes to the starting 11 that started that afternoon.  Be loud and proud you Argyle fans.  See you all at the County Ground.  Last but not least enjoy the game and the great atmosphere that will come with it!!!  GREEN ARMY.      

Hereford United vs Argyle - Match Report

For a game of both half’s, the best place to see this was at Edgar Street the home of Hereford United.  There was one change from the starting line-up that started the game against Bradford City, and that was Warren Feeney replacing Juvhel Tsoumou due to injury.  With the 1244 travelling green army filling up behind the goal and along the side-line it was strong to see they were there to cheer the pilgrims on to 3points.  Even before the kick it was hard to hear the clubs stadium announcer with the kicking of the metal boards and chanting of Argyle songs from the travelling tangent.

The first half was well underway with the pilgrims starting off the strongest team keeping the possession, winning second balls and closing the opposition down so they couldn't play comfortably.   From the start Carl Fletcher was putting out an attacking starting line-up with Chadders to hold the ball up with Feeno running onto the loose balls.     It took the pilgrims nearly 30 minutes to take the lead from an own goal from the Herefords United Captain and defender Stefam Stam.  This goal came from a long ball over the top of the defence with Warren Feeney forcing their captain to make a slight touch of the ball.  Inexpertly the ball chipped over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.  Off Warren Feeney went to celebrate with the green army, soon after he was joined by his team mates.  Hereford United 0-1 Plymouth Argyle.  It was back to the centre circle for Hereford who kicked off but they were closed down by Argyle very quickly.  They have some confidence after the goal.  The clock was ticking half time when suddenly Argyle was awarded a penalty after a scramble in the penalty box in which Feeney was fouled off a result of this.   The Skipper Simon Walton was quick to pick up the ball and place it on the penalty spot.  Running up to take the penalty he placed it right in left hand corner.  But sadly to the pilgrim’s faith it hit the post with force.  Half time was nearing with the forth official holding up the advertising board issuing 3 added minutes to the 45.  With the pilgrims pushing hard for a second goal before the whistle blew.  They always knew it was going to be a though to break up the defence and so the half time went.   

Hereford was first out after half time with the pilgrims making them wait for a couple of minutes.  Argyle was hoping for the same start as they started the first but it wasn’t to be.  Both teams were fighting against relegation so the players were aware that it was going to be a tough encounter between the two clubs.  Hereford was looking the best team after the break with very neat passing playing between the available spaces.  They were looking for an early goal and that’s what they got after the 51^st minute.  The goal came from a free kick which was quickly taken by Byron Anthony, and then he fed it into Tom Barkhuisen who then fired it passed Jake Cole and into the back of the net.  Straight after the re-start from Argyle it was fascinating to see Hereford going for a second.  All Argyle could do was defend solidly.  By this time Carl Fletcher decided it was time to make a tactical substitution with Steve Fletcher coming on for Nick Chadwick, a straight change upfront and a new partner for Warren Feeney.  With this tactical substitution Steve Fletcher could hold the ball up for the oncoming wingers and striker to then pass so they could run at the defenders. They were Hemmings, MacDonald and Feeney. Argyle started to chip the ball up to fletcher who flicked some neat balls onto the foot of Feeney who had a couple of chances to bag a couple of goals.  It was some time for another substitution with the highflying winger Luke Young replacing Alex MacDonald in the 76^th minute.  This substitution was to enforce some more speed and cover for the defence.  The full time whistle was very near with Argyle defencing for their lives and trying to close every single ball done.    The full time whistle had gone with the score equal at 1-1.  If you had asked every single Argyle fan I’m sure they would have taken a point even before the game. 

With 5 games to go there are 15point available for the pilgrims to pick up.  Keep believing and keep the faith, because we are staying up!!!  GREEN ARMY.

Next Home game - 9th April vs Aldershot 3pm kick-off.

Hereford United Vs Argyle Preview

After the much needed victory last Saturday against Bradford at home, the only goal coming on 4minutes, tomorrow’s game Vs Hereford is another chance for the pilgrims to grab 3points and move 7points clear off the relegation zone.  With the green army grabbing their tickets earl y, Hereford will be expecting a bumper crowd at Edgar Park on Easter Friday with a sell-out away crowd.   So let’s all get behind our team Plymouth Argyle and cheer them on to hopefully 3points tomorrow.  Your team needs you!!!!!  GREEN ARMY.   Plymouth Argyle and Proud. 

The match report on tomorrow’s game won’t be uploaded until Saturday morning!