Argyle vs Northampton - Match Report

Argyle won their first game of the season after coming from behind to win 3-2 against a strong Northampton Town side who were unbeaten until yesterday’s game at Home Park.   

There were four changes from the starting 11 that started at Burnley on Tuesday Evening at Turf Moor. Curtis Nelson, Nick Chadwick, Johnny Gorman and Jared Sims all made way for Darren Purse, Warren Feeney, Onismor Bhasera and Paul Wotton.  Nick Chadwick was left out of the squad all together because of a calf injury.  Meanwhile Rhys Griffiths, who has put his career as a fireman on hold to become a professional footballer, was on the bench for the first time this season after recovering from a calf injury.  Whilst in the Northampton squad Adebayo Akinfenwa started his first game after being left on the bench for their last three games.

Northampton who had played on Thursday Evening in the Capital One Cup against Wolverhampton Wanders where the outcome of the game was in Wolves favour as they won the game 3-1.  The Town squad spent Friday morning recovering ready for the game.  Both teams emerged from the tunnel with Northampton wearing a Florissant green kit.  Were they trying to mix in with Argyle?? Darren Purse who was back in the squad after missing Tuesday night because of injury won the toss and decided to kick off the first half.  Paul Wotton and Conor Hourihane got the game underway with the Pilgrims starting very brightly and confidently with the midfield players keeping and passing the ball between themselves.  When Northampton had the possession of the football they passed it to target man Adebayo Akinfenwa, no one could get near him with the captain and experienced defender Darren Purse left to handle the ‘Big Man’ and to prevent him from scoring.  At the other end Paris Cowan-Hall, Paul Wotton and Conor Hourihane had plenty of chances to get on the score sheet, but it wasn’t to be.  Northampton travelled up the other end and scored.  The move came about with a pass to Akinfenwa who held the ball up well so his team mates could join in, he passed it to Plymouth Born Ben Tozer who placed it perfectly into the penalty box with Alex Nichollas turning his man to slot the ball home into the corner of the net right in front of the Devonport.  After Northampton had scored the goal Argyle were slowly but surely progressing as the game went on. An early substitution was in order as Paris Cowan-Hall had to be subbed through a tight hamstring.  It was an early introduction and welcome back to Alex MacDonald.  The fans gave him a very warm welcome for his second debut.  It was half time as both team walked down the tunnel.

Rhys Griffiths was a second half substitution for Argyle as he replaced midfielder Paul Wotton.  Argyle was changing their formation in the second half as they went 4-4-2 rather than 4-1-4-1.  The tactically substitution worked wonders in the second as the Pilgrims equalised in the first two minutes of the second half.  Man-of-the-match Onismor Bhasera was causing all sorts of problems down the left wing when he whipped it into the box when Warren Feeney got in front of his man to head it home.  The fans erupted it was game on.  From that moment Argyle were in the mood.   After Argyle had scored the goal Northampton’s manager Aidy Boothroyd was quick in make a substitution.  The substitution consisted of Adebayo Akinfenwa being replaced by Clive Platt. A straight swap for Northampton.  Minutes later Rhys Griffiths had given Argyle the lead from Bhasera once again when he passed it to the number 10 who then flicked it onto Alex MacDonald who crossed it low into the penalty box with Griffiths slide footing it into the back of the net.  2-1 to the greens.  Sadly for the green army and the fans, Griffiths had to depart the field of play after 20minutes of him making his debut, cautiously as he didn’t want a reoccurrence of his calf problem. He was replaced by defender Curtis Nelson.  No he wasn’t going to play in defence but he was going upfront with Feeney.  Fletcher made this substitution as he didn’t want to leave the defence open.  Within minutes of Nelse coming on he had turned the game around, 3-1 to the greens.  It was great work from Onismor Bhasera once again with the pass to Williams who then whipped a great cross in for Curtis Nelson to head home in the 74^th minute of the game.  After Argyles third goal had gone in Northampton had a series of corners but the defenders stood tall and dealt with then in a professional manor.   Aidy Boothroyd made another tactical substitution with Henoc Mukendi replacing Chris Hackett in the 79^th minute. The Pilgrims were comfortable and passing the ball freely.  The forth official announced there was four minutes added time.  Northampton did get a goal back from summer signing David Artell with a header.  Thankfully Argyle held on for 3 massive points by winning the game 3-2.  Goals from Feeney, Griffiths and Nelson.  Argyle move upto 15^th in the table.  Green Army.