Argyle vs Aldershot - Match Report

 

With Argyle kicking off the Npower league 2 season at home to Aldershot Town it was a chance for the greens to get some points onto the board.  But unfortunately the Pilgrims suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Shots with the goals coming from Troy Brown and a penalty from Josh Payne. Regardless of Argyle having most of the possession they were unable to break the Aldershot defence.

Carl Fletcher decided to stick with the exact starting 11 that played in the 3-0 win over Portsmouth to start the league 2 fixture  Vs  Aldershot Town.  On the other hand Aldershot were forced to make many changes to their starting 11 due to injury’s to their players   A huge crowd turned up at Home Park expecting big things from the players.  The players emerged from the tunnel in the new look Home Kit sponsored by Bond Timber.  An unusual territory came when the Pilgrims were handed the chance to face the Devonport Enders in the first half rather than in the second half.  That meant the Shots were shooting towards the Barn Park End in front of their own fans. 

Argyle players Paul Wotton and Conor Hourihane kicked the ball for this first league game of the season.  In fairness to Aldershot their players were raring to go closing down the Pilgrims very quickly.  With not the greatest of starts from the Pilgrims they found themselves 1-0 down inside the first five minutes.  Onismor Bhasera   fouled his man just outside the penalty box and the Shots were awarded a free kick.  Anthony Tonkin placing the free kick perfecting onto Defender Troy Brown who guided the ball passed Jake Cole Argyle number 1 goalkeeper.  Like many times last season after the Pilgrims had conceded a goal they just dropped their heads but all fairness to the players they tried to get an equaliser down at the other end.  After the goal had gone in it took the Pilgrims a couple to minute to get back into the swing of the game and keeping the possession of the ball very well.  That nearly paid off when both Nick Chadwick and Andres Gurrieri coming close to finding the back of the net, but two good saves from their goalkeeper declined the Pilgrims from getting on the score sheet.  The next opportunity came from free kick specialist Paul Wotton.  Only the post denied the Paul Wotton from equalising after he celebrated his 35^TH Birthday on Friday. With Argyle having most of the possession it was time for Johnny Gorman, the scorer of the first goal against Portsmouth, to make a goal scoring opportunity for Nick Chadwick only for the defender to nick it off his foot.  Half time was some approaching with Argyle still in total control of the match.

Second half came round very quickly with the Shots  first out after the first half with the Pilgrims making them wait a few more minutes until they reappeared from the tunnel.  Aldershot kicked of the second half with the Pilgrims shooting towards the Barn Park End.  I expect most fans were still thinking it was the first half as the Pilgrims don’t usually shoot towards the Devonport until the second half.  Soon after the restart Argyle created there next shot on goal.  Conor Hourihane volleyed the ball only for a Shots defender to deflect it to safety.  Minutes after the Away team were awarded a penalty after Bhasera and Blanchard had fouled Michael Rankine.  It was Josh Payne to step up to take the penalty.  He had scored with Jake Cole going the wrong way.  Off he trotted to celebrate with his teammates. 2-0 to the Aldershot. Luke Young was introduced into the game just after the 60^th minute marking replacing Johnny Gorman.  The greens started to play some very neat football passing between each other and creating some chances but Aldershot stood tall and defended well.  The next two substitutions that Carl Fletcher would make would be to replace Andres Gurrieri with new recruit Paris Cowan-Hall with 20minutes still to play in the game.  A straight change for the Pilgrims with Cowan-Hall playing right midfield.  Also Warren Feeney replaced Matty LeCointe who had put in a very promising display with Nick Chadwick.  It was nearly a super sub for Argyle as they nearly pulled a goal back from Feeno who headed Curtis Nelson cross. Warren Feeney was involved in the play once again to set up Chaddy but his shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.

 Aldershot had won 2-0 at Home Park. They travel back up the M4 with all three points in the bag.  Keep the faith the results will come.  GREEN ARMY.

Next Home Game: Northampton Saturday 1^st September 3pm kick-off

Next Away Game: Dagenham & Redbridge Tuesday 21^st August 7:45pm kick-off