Plymouth ARGYLE vs Torquay United - Match Report

The Pilgrims 1
Tyler Harvey 89'


The Gulls 1
Aaron Downes 78'

 

 

Plymouth Argyle deserved all three points in their Boxing Day game against Torquay United.  In a game in which the Pilgrims dominated Torquay went in front with an Aaron Downes goal in the 78^th minute, before Tyler Harvey, making his full league debut, equalised for the greens with a fantastic strike in the 90^th minute.

Carl Fletcher made three changes to the side that battle through wind and rain to rescue a point at Accrington Stanley.  The young Welshman selected Tyler Harvey, who has been impressing in youth games, to make his full league debut at Home Park in front of his friends and family.  Rhys Griffiths, a former fire-fighter was dropped to the bench in favour of the young forward. Durrell Berry was also replaced in the starting line-up with Curtis Nelson, a former Stoke apprentice, took his place at right back.  Maxime Blanchard was also back partnering Darren Purse at centre back after he returned after missing Saturdays encounter due to suspension.  The other change that Carl Fletcher made was in midfield, Paris Cowan-Hall replaced Joe Lennox who was dropped to the substitute’s bench.   However for the opposition team Torquay United, they had a free weekend after their 1^st Devon Derby at Plainmoor against Exeter was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.    Ryan Jarvis was still out of the Gulls squad after he punctured a lung in their previous game. 

In front of just over 10,000 fans Plymouth Argyle started the Devon Derby in fine form shooting towards the Torquay fans situated in the Barn Park End.  Argyle had numerous of changes to taking the lead early on in the game. With the wind behind the Pilgrims in the first 45minutes Robbie Williams had nearly found the top right hand corner.  A magnificent run from inside his own half to the penalty area helped him pull of a shot off it was always curling just wide of the post. Minutes into the first half Argyle had been awarded a free kick just inside of Torquay’s half.  This free kick was a bit amusing for the spectators due to the ball rolling away when Darren Purse was about to take it.  It took about 5times for the defender to take it, it didn’t come to anything.  Argyle were still on top possession wise, passing the football around nicely between the defenders, midfielders and strikers.  Tyler Harvey still only 17years old was the stand out player and deservedly won the man-of-the-match award for holding up the ball tremendously well with him able to shine against experienced defenders.  The next opportunity for Argyle came from Zimbabwe International player Onismor Bhasera.  The versatile player shot was deflected of Kevin Nicholson for a corner to Argyle with Luke Young providing the delivery for the Pilgrims.  Fortunately in the eye of Torquay the set piece didn’t come to anything. Another chance came begging for Argyle when right back Curtis Nelson delivered a wonderful long ball into the box from the left side, with Chadwick’s flick Cowan-Hall’s strike was defended well by Australian centre back and Torquay’s number 4 Aaron Downes.  Tyler Harvey had nearly bagged his debut goal after he swivelled and shot towards the top corner.  The ball was always rising into the foul weather.  Torquay were starting to get into the rhythm of the game after not playing for over a week.  The visitors were passing the football neatly between the midfielders and strikers, from this they were awarded with some corners.  The corners didn’t come to anything after the deliverer couldn’t get the football over the first man, for this the first man was Argyle’s Luke number 8 Young.   When 45minutes were up the forth official added one additional minute. Half Time Argyle 0-0 Torquay United  

Second half came around quickly with Argyle attacking the Devonport End.  There were no changes from either team to chance their teams or formation.  Plymouth Argyle had started off the second half especially well with Tyler Harvey running onto loose balls and setting up several attacks.  Torquay had a great chance of going ahead when Rene Howe shot towards Gilmartin’s near post; he saved and punched it out for a Gulls corner.  Former Swindon player, and scorer of last season Derby at Home Park, Billy Bodin spirited into Argyle’s half avoiding many players to shot towards goal.  Rene Gilmartin went down well to his left before realising the football was drifting marginally wide of the far post.  Another attack for the Pilgrims consisted of Irish born Conor Hourihane delivering an inch prefect ball onto the head of Nick Chadwick. The former Stockport striker got above his man and headed millimetres wide of the goal.  It was the opposition team that had the best chance of the game so far.  Lee Mansell the captain of Torquay shot high and wide from inside the penalty area.  Torquay were awarded a free-kick after Darren Purse had obstructed Rene Howe.  The outcome of the free kick was a corner.  Kevin Nicholson had struck the ball sweetly to force a fantastic save off Rene Gilmartin to go out for a corner.  The consequence of the corner was a goal for Torquay.  Australian born centre back Aaron Downes had given the Gulls the lead, the ball feel straight to his feet he then kicked it powerfully into the back of the net. 0-1 Torquay.  From the goal that Torquay scored manager Carl Fletcher made his only substitution of the game.  Rhys Griffiths was about to come on for Nick Chadwick.  Seconds of the Welshman coming on he had a great chance of getting an equalizer.  Luke Young had shot from around 30yards from the goal.  From the horrible weather goalkeeper Michael Poke was unable to keep hold of the ball; the first player to react to this was Griffiths, the goalkeeper saved well from his close range shot. Just before the 90minute mark Argyle had equalised and Home Park was alive.  Tyler Harvey had scored on his league debut to make it four games unbeaten for Argyle. There was 3minutes of stoppage time.  In this time there were a lot of injuries not to mention Torquay’s captain’s Lee Mansell injury.  From a collision with an Argyle player he has unfortunately punctured a wound just below he’s knee.  We wish you a speedy recovery Mansell. 

Full Time Argyle 1-1 Torquay.                         

Argyle (4-4-2): 20 Rene Gilmartin; 17 Curtis Nelson, 5 Darren Purse (capt), Maxime Blanchard, 3 Robbie Williams; 7 Paris Cowan-Hall, 8 Luke Young, 6 Conor Hourihane, 14 Onismor Bhasera; 29 Tyler Harvey, 9 Nick Chadwick (10 Rhys Griffiths 81). Substitutes (not used): 1 Jake Cole, 2 Durrell Berry, 11 Warren Feeney, 16 Jamie Lowry, 19 Joe Lennox, 27 Andres Gurrieri. 

Booked: Hourihane 83. 

Torquay United (4-5-1): 1 Michael Poke; 2 Joe Oastler, 16 Angus MacDonald, 4 Aaron Downes, 3 Kevin Nicholson; 20 Nathan Craig, 7 Lee Mansell (6 Damon Lathrope 90), 15 Billy Bodin (23 Ashley Yeoman 70), 18 Craig Easton, 19 Danny Steven; 9 Rene Howe. Substitutes (not used): 12 Daniel Leadbitter, 13 Martin Rice (gk), 17 Saul Halpin, 21 Thomas Cruise, 30 Kirtys Mackenzie. 

Referee: Graham Salisbury. 
Attendance: 10,003 (1,525 away).