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!!