Plymouth Argyle 1
Alex MacDonald 50’
Southend United 1
Britt Assombalonga 55’
Carl Fletcher made two changes from last Saturdays 3-2 thrilling win over Morecambe for this afternoon’s game against Southend United at Home Park. Midfielders Luke Young and Onismor Bhasera were both recalled with Ross Jenkins on loan from Watford ruled out after suffering a groin injury late on in Thursday’s training session. Whilst Andres Gurrieri was made a substitute for this particular game. Fletcher welcomed back two striker Nick Chadwick and Rhys Griffiths from injury, they both made the bench.
Southend got the game underway with their players struggling
to even get a couple of passes together.
Argyle on the other hand were straight out of the traps, winning every
second ball and passing the ball with confidence to the wide men to run at the oppositions
defence. A Man-of-the-match display from
midfielder Onismor Bhasera, had plenty of chances to put Argyle ahead but was
unable to find the back of the net in front of the travelling fans situated in
the Barn Park End. It wasn’t until third way through the first
half in which the travelling side began to feel at home and find there feet. End
to end stuff from both teams. Guy Madjo
on loan from Aldershot has slotted straight into the team from day one since
his arrival to Plymouth. Himself and
Feeney both strikers worked well for each other, linking up well to get some
good shots on target. With Madjo’s strength he was able to hold the
ball up so his team-mates could come and join him. His strength and presence up-front has really
helped Argyle to look forward and start pushing for the top half of the
table. Onismor Bhasera then had a clear
cut opportunity to put the Pilgrims in the lead after Alex MacDonald (Macca)
cut in from the left wing and skipped passed former green and current Southend
Captain Chris Barker, with Baz not connecting fully with the ball. Argyle were still in total control of the
game with the players playing and passing the ball with freedom, the players
took their time to get through the Shrimps back four, once they did their
goalkeeper Daniel Bently made some fine saves from Guy Madjo, Conor Hourihane,
Onismor Bhasera and penalty hero from 7-days ago Warren Feeney. It wasn’t until the 40minute mark when
Southend had their first shot on target coming from young Britt Assombalonga who is on-loan from Championship side Watford. The
forward clinched onto a header from an in swinging cross from Sean Clohessy,
Jake Cole had it well covered and caught the swirling ball in both hands. Jake Cole kicked it far and high to Guy Madjo
to control it and find Conor Hourihane who shot towards goal, a very weak shot
from the midfielder with the ball going inches wide of the near post. Referee
Steve Rushton blew for half time. All
square at the interval.
Argyle were out onto the field of play first with
first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell keeping the players well occupied whilst
waiting for the visiting team. There was
one chance for Southend with former Argyle youth and apprentice player Ryan Leonard
replacing David Martin. Argyle kicked off the second half in fine form with the
Pilgrims now shooting towards the Devonport End. It took around 5 minutes for the men wearing
the green to take the lead. The goal
came straight after a Southend corner, a long ball to Guy Madjo who held the
ball up well. He decided to pass the
ball to Alex MacDonald instead of firing it straight across the goal. It turned out to be the correct decision by
the forward, with Alex MacDonald placing the ball underneath the oncoming
goalie Daniel Blently. The Devonport
went wild. Argyle lead 1-0. As you may
be aware Macca scored his first goal for Argyle last season against Southend at
Home Park in last year’s game on loan from Burnley, a Lancashire Club. For his second loan spell at Argyle his first
goal came today against the same opposition, Southend United. Last season the
goal came in-front of the Barn Park End whilst todays goal came in-front of the
Devonport Enders. From this moment on Argyle
were cruising and looking to go on and win the game with a few more goals. But that wasn’t going to be after Britt Assombalonga
turned his man in experienced defender Darren Purse with some class skill to
fire home an equalizer passed Jake Cole at his near post. From that goal Southend United were the
better side from back to front, left, right and Centre. The Pilgrims defended well to prevent the
Shrimps from scoring again. Fletcher
made some changes with chants ringing round Home Park ‘Bring on the Fireman’. Rhys Griffiths took the place of Guy Madjo
whilst young gun Paris Cowan-Hall replaced Northern Ireland international
Warren Feeney. From Fletcher tactics former Argyle Manger now the Shrimps
manager did that exact same, bringing on two strikers Freddie Eastwood and
Barry Corr. It was nearly a super sub
after Barry Corr came very close from giving the visitors the lead. Fortunately for Argyle Corr was unable to
make any connection with the ball as Britt Assombalonga slide it across the
goal and out for a throwing to the Pilgrims.
Later on in the match Barry Corr who had come on as a substitute earlier
on in the second half was red carded after an off the ball incident with Darren
Purse. Referee Steven Rushton issued his
seventh red card to Barry Corr. With the
man advantage Argyle did everything to grab a late winner. Fletcher brought on
Nick Chadwick for the remainder of the 4minutes injury time with him replacing
goal hero Alex MacDonald. It wasn’t to
be, the Pilgrims draw one a piece with the Shrimps after a very positive first
half.
Argyle (4-4-2): 1 Jake
Cole; 2 Durrell Berry, 5 Darren Purse (capt), 4 Maxime Blanchard, 3 Robbie
Williams; 32 Alex MacDonald (9 Nick Chadwick 90), 8 Luke Young, 6 Conor
Hourihane, 14 Onismor Bhasera; 18 Guy Madjo (10 Rhys Griffiths 65), 11 Warren
Feeney (7 Paris Cowan-Hall 65). Substitutes
(not used): 13 Ollie Chenoweth (gk), 17 Curtis Nelson, 21 Matt Lecointe, 27
Andres Gurrieri.
Booked: Berry 59.
Southend United (4-4-2): 17
Daniel Bentley; 2 Sean Clohessy, 6 Ryan Cresswell, 16 Luke Prosser, 23 Chris
Barker; 14 Kevan Hurst, 19 John Spicer (10 Barry Corr 68), 8 Michael Timlin, 11
David Martin (18 Ryan Leonard half-time); 24 Eliot Benyon (7 Freddy Eastwood
63), 20 Britt Assombalonga. Substitutes
(not used): 3 Anthony Straker, 5 Graham Coughlan, 30 Alex Woodyard, 31 Ted
Smith (gk).
Sent off: Corr 82.
Booked: Leonard 90.
Referee: Steven Rushton.
Attendance: 6,269 (237
away).
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