Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Plymouth ARGYLE vs Oxford United - Match Preview - Southern Quarter Final of the Johnstone Paint Trophy



Plymouth Argyle will welcome Oxford United to Home Park on Tuesday evening for the Johnstone Paint Trophy Quarter Final for an unusual kick-off time of 7pm.  Both clubs have agreed on this time to encourage younger fans to come to the game. This game will be the second of three consecutive home games for the Pilgrims. To reach this stage in the competition both teams had very tough oppositions in the second round, a victory for Argyle over Aldershot at Home Park, whilst Cheltenham were beaten 4-2 by Oxford at Whaddon Road. The winners of the quarter final will go into the draw for the Area Semi-final, knowing they are only three rounds away from an once in a lifetime appearance at Wembley Stadium.    If the scores are level at 90minutes then both teams will have to compete against each other in a penalty shoot-out.  

After Plymouth Argyle’s defeat to Dorchester Town in the first round of the FA Cup, Carl Fletchers men have had a game free weekend whilst their opponents in Oxfordshire were successful in the first round.  Oxford were 2-0 winners at Underhill against Barnet and so they progressed to the second round. The U’s were draw against Accrington Stanley a team also playing their football in Npower league 2.  The result from this game was a 3all draw.  This means that a replay will take place at the Kassam Stadium.    With no fixture for the Pilgrims on the Saturday, manager Carl Fletcher decided to take his squad rock climbing at the Life Centre situated metres away from Home Park. 

The last time Argyle and Oxford met was in Npower league 2 at the beginning of this current season, in which Tuesday visitors were victorious winning 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium, with only left back Robbie Williams giving the Pilgrims the consolation goal from a free-kick in the defeat. 

Premier League referee Roger East will take charge of the Pilgrims for the second time this season. The Wiltshire based referee has officiated Argyle once already this season with it coming on September 8th against Devon Rivals Torquay United.  The result of this game was a 0-0 draw. The only clean sheet Argyle has kept all season. 

Darren Purse will still be absent from the squad due to suspension.  The captain is serving a three game ban after being set off in the 3-0 defeat to Fleetwood.  A player facing a late fitness test will be central midfielder Luke Young.  The Plymouth-born player injured his shoulder during the 5-day tour to the north of the country.  Loanees Alex MacDonald, Mark Molesley and Guy Madjo will all have a part to play in the game after their parent clubs gave the players permission to participate in the Southern Quarter Final of the Johnstone Paint Trophy.  Alex MacDonald on loan from Burnley will play his last game in a green shirt on Tuesday evening due to his loan expiring.  Conor Hourihane a central midfielder will almost look certain to lead the team out as captain for the third successive game on Tuesday due to Purse’s suspension.

Available: Jake Cole, Rene Gilmartin, Ollie Chenoweth, Durrell Berry, Jamie Richards, Curtis Nelson, Maxime, Blanchard, Onismor Bhasera, Joe Lennox, Paris Cowan-Hall, Alex MacDonald, Andres Gurrieri,  Jamie Lowry, Conor Hourihane, Mark Molesley, Jared Sims, Jordan Copp, Nick Chadwick, Warren Feeney, Guy Madjo, Rhys Griffiths, Matt LeCointe, Tyler Harvey, 

Doubtful: Luke Young (shoulder injury)

Unavailable: Darren Purse (suspended), Paul Wotton (back injury), Robbie Williams (stomach muscle injury), Isaac Vassell, Jed Harper-Penman (both players on loan to Bideford Town)

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