Plymouth ARGYLE vs Accrington Stanley-Match Report

Plymouth ARGYLE 0

Accrington Stanley 0

 

John Sheridan remains unbeaten as Plymouth Argyle manager as the Pilgrims were held to a goalless draw against Accrington Stanley at Home Park. 

Sheridan had made two changes from the side that were victorious over Morecambe two weeks previously.  Anthony Charles and Reuben Reid both came into the side to make their debuts in greens shirt.  Reuben Reid was making his second debut for Argyle after he began his Professional career with the Pilgrims; he left Plymouth in 2008 to move to Rotherham after making seven appearances for Argyle.   Warren Feeney was ruled out of the game all together due to an ankle injury that he had picked up in the early stages of the Morecambe encounter, whilst Jamie Lowry was dropped to the bench for Onismor Bhasera to play in front of Anthony Charles.  A player missing all together today was Joe Lennox; he was released by John Sheridan at the start of this current week after spending a year with Argyle.  Reading Loanee Gozie Ugwu will have to wait to make his Argyle debut after he was not included in the match-day squad.  Unfortunately Gozie was injured in the closing stages of Friday’s training session.  For Accrington Stanley, there manager Leam Richardson made three changes to their side from there last match, a 2-0 defeat at Aldershot Town. The players to make way were former Pilgrim Lee Molyneux, Will Hatfield and George Miller.  The Stanley players to come into the side were Michael Liddle, Charlie Bennett and Craig Lindfield.

On a cold, Saturday afternoon, Minutes pasted 3pm the teams emerged for the start of the first half, Argyle were shooting towards the Devonport for the first 45minutes, whilst Stanley were attacking the Barn Park End where the visiting fans were situated.  Formally an English International James Beattie was the stand out player in the Stanley squad; the forward player was always first to each ball that was delivered to him forcing Branston and Nelson to defend solidly.   Within five minutes Maxime Blanchard had become the first player to go into Mick Russell’s book after a late challenge.  Accrington Stanley grew more and more into the game with Argyle not troubling at the defenders at all, so they reverted to the long ball up to Yeovil Loanee Reuben Reid, who was partnering Ronan Murray in the Argyle attack.  It wasn’t until the 20 minute when Accrington Stanley had their first attempt at goal. Linfield had distributed a cross with Romulad Boco miss kicking; Gilmartin came to Argyle’s rescue.   Onismor Bhasera had the first sight on goal as Argyle pushed for a lead in the game.  With the Zimbabwe’s strength and power it enabled him to strive through the defenders and pull off a shot.  From this the ball parried just wide of the near post, a goal kick was awarded.  Accrington Stanley had nearly gone a goal up from a James Beattie’s header; fortunately Onismor Bhasera had stayed on the goal line from the corner and cleared through a header.   Stanley was out playing Argyle in the first half with corner after corner greeting the visiting team. From this Argyle had nearly gone in front themselves. After an Accrington corner Berry had cleared up to Reuben Reid after a bit of hesitating from the defender, he turned and spirited passing two on-coming defenders in the process.  From this Reid did all the hard work but the loanee could not pull of a shot as Stanley shut him down and cleared the ball up field.  Half time was nearing when John Sheridan was forced into making his first change of the game.  Jake Cole replaced Rene Gilmartin through injury.  It emerged after full time that Gilmartin had been replaced through a Hamstring Injury that he had picked up.  The fourth official had indicated a minimum of four minutes added time at the end of the 45. Half Time ARGYLE 0-0 STANLEY.       

John Sheridan must have had a word at Half Time through the players being out early to start the second half, attacking the Barn Park End.  Minutes into the second half, Bhasera had nearly given Plymouth Argyle the lead.  A spectacular save from Cameron Belford tipped it over the bar. John Sheridan was very close to bringing on Luke Young when a serious injury happened to Nicky Hunt.  The player jumped up with Ronan Murray, as the midfielder landed on the football pitch he became unconscious.  Murray knew that the injury was serious and so he waved the physio’s on whilst the game was still in play.  After 10minutes of treatment on the field from paramedics, Physio’s and the club doctor, Nicky Hunt was stretched of with a standing ovation from both sets of fans and players.  With the players having time out it was a chance for them to talk tactics and take on some fluids.  With the player safety taken to the ambulance parked in the Devonport gateway, the referee blew the whistle for the game to get restarted with Belford.  The change could now take place, Luke Young was coming on for Maxime Blanchard, who has in recent weeks dropped into midfield alongside Captain Conor Hourihane.   From this substitution the game was turning in Argyle’s favour with Young dominating the midfield.  Argyle was awarded a free kick when Paris Cowan-Hall was fouled just by the corner flag.  Ronan Murray delivered a beauty of a free-kick; this was met by the head of debutant Anthony Charles to head into the back of the net past Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Cameron Belford.  Argyle fans were celebrating but assembled in disbelief after the goal was ruled out for a foul in the penalty box.  From the introduction of Luke Young in midfield he was setting up every single attack.  He found Reuben Reid but he shot wide of the near post into the side netting.  With the 90minutes nearly up there was an additional 11minutes of injury time to be played.  The final substitution made by John Sheridan was to bring Tyler Harvey on with Ronan Murray making way for the 17-year-old.  With minutes remaining of the 11 minutes added on Accrington Stanley were awarded a free-kick just outside of the penalty area. James Beattie had swiped in a marvellous free-kick, to match it Jake Cole was sure to impress Sheridan and so he did by pulling of an outstanding save to the right of his goal. Full Time ARGYLE 0-0 STANLEY. 

All the best to Nicky Hunt on making a full and safe recovery from the injury that he sustained in today’s fixture!!

Argyle (4-4-2): 20 Rene Gilmartin (1 Jake Cole 43); 2 Durrell Berry, 17 Curtis Nelson, 5 Guy Branston, 26 Anthony Charles; 7 Paris Cowan-Hall, 6 Conor Hourihane (capt), 4 Maxime Blanchard (8 Luke Young 65), 14 Onismor Bhasera; 28 Ronan Murray (29 Tyler Harvey 90), 24 Reuben Reid. Substitutes (not used): 3 Robbie Williams, 15 Paul Wotton, 16 Jamie Lowry, 27 Andres Gurrieri.

Booked: Blanchard 7, Branston 80

Accrington Stanley (4-4-2): 1 Cameron Belford; 16 Nicky Hunt (19 Marcus Carver 61), 6 Dean Winnard, 2 Peter Murphy, 3 Michael Liddle; 7 Craig Lindfield (12 George Miller 78), 4 Luke Joyce, 8 Charlie Barnett, 34 Laurence Wilson; 33 Romuald Boco, 21 James Beattie. Substitutes (not used): 14 Luke Clark, 15 Bohan Dixon, 17 James Gray, 22 Andrew Dawber, 24 Lee Molyneux.

Referee: Mick Russell.

Attendance: 6,509 (91 away)

Plymouth ARGYLE vs Accrington Stanley-Match Preview

Plymouth Argyle are back in action this weekend after their fixture was postponed away at Southend due to a frozen pitch. 

In John Sheridan’s second game in charge of the Pilgrims, home to Accrington Stanley, he will be keen  to keep his 100% record at Home Park after a 2-1 victory over Morecambe in his first game as manager of Plymouth Argyle.  However, with the Pilgrims having a rare weekend off it was a chance for the squad to get to know each other with the new signings that John Sheridan has made since Argyle played last.  Defender Anthony Charles has come to Plymouth on a deal until the end of the season after he had his contract terminated at Northampton by mutual consent.  Strikers Reuben Reid and Gozie Ugwu have also come to the club on loan from their parent clubs Yeovil Town and Reading.  Both players have put pen to paper on one month loan deals.  One player who Argyle will be without is Bristol Born Joe Lennox; he was released this week after his extended contact wasn’t renewed by the club.  Formally of Bristol City, Joe arrived into Plymouth in the 2012 January transfer window after being released by his home town side. Lennox made 19 appearances for the Pilgrims with him scoring one goal, a memorable strike against Exeter City.

One player Argyle will be up against on Saturday will be former England International Jamie Beattie.  Formally of Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and most recently Sheffield United, Beattie arrived at the Crown Ground in November 2012 as a player coach. 

The last time the two teams met was in December 2012 where the score was a 1-1 draw.  Onismor Bhasera had put the Pilgrims ahead in the first half before experienced striker Jamie Beattie had levelled the scoring just before the hour mark.  Accrington Stanley’s Lee Molyneux will be returning to Home Park two years after he was released by Peter Reid, making 19 appearances.  After 19months out of football Lee returned to the playing field after he signed for Stanley in August 2012.   

John Sheridan will still be without striker Nick Chadwick; he is serving his second of a six game ban.  Another striker that will be sidelined is Warren Feeney; he was injuried in the early stages in the 2-1 victory over Morecambe.  Anthony Charles, Gozie Ugwu and Reuben Reid will all be looking to make their debuts at Home Park against Saturday’s opponents Accrington Stanley.   Rhys Griffiths is very doubtful to be included in the match-day squad after he was told he can leave Plymouth Argyle by John Sheridan.   

Available: - Jake Cole, Rene Gilmartin, Ollie Chenoweth, Durrell Berry, Maxime Blanchard, Guy Branston, Curtis Nelson, Jamie Richards, Anthony Charles, Robbie Williams, Onismor Bhasera, Paul Wotton, Jamie Lowry, Paris Cowan-Hall, Conor Hourihane, Luke Young, Andres Gurrieri, Isaac Vassell, Matt LeCointe, Jared Sims, Tyler Harvey, Gozie Ugwu, , Rhys Griffiths, Ronan Murray, Reuben Reid. 

Unavailable: - Warren Feeney (ankle injury), Nick Chadwick (suspended)

Plymouth ARGYLE vs Morecambe-Match Report

Plymouth ARGYLE 2

Conor Hourihane 10'

Paris Cowan-Hall 16'

Morecambe 1

Williams 80' 

On a pouring Saturday afternoon John Sheridan took to the Home Park dug-out for the very first time since being appointed as the Plymouth Argyle manager after Carl Fletcher’s departure on New Year’s Day.

John Sheridan’s first ever team-sheet appeared just after 2pm on Saturday.  As you can image no-one knew what formation he was going to use.  Formally the Chesterfield boss, John Sheridan had made four changes to the side who started at Vale Park, he had also adapted to the 4-4-2 formation.   Maxime Blanchard was placed in midfield in front of the central defenders; his preferred position.  Guy Branston came straight into the side at centre back alongside Curtis Nelson, after the 34 year old signed for the greens until the end of the season after he had his contract terminated by Aldershot Town.  Sheridan also recalled his former midfielder at Chesterfield, this player was Cornish-born Jamie Lowry; he played on the left wing just in front of Zimbabwe international Onismor Bhasera, who was favoured to Robbie Williams at Left Back.  John Sheridan’s two final chances came up front with Warren Feeney coming back into the side, for the suspended Nick Chadwick. The manager also presented a debut to Ipswich loanee Ronan Murray; the 21year old joined the Pilgrims on Thursday until the end of the season.   For the visiting team Morecambe, there manager Jim Bentley made many chances to the side that overcame Dagenham & Redbridge at the Globe Arena on Tuesday evening.  Defenders Will Haining and Robbie Threlfall returned to the squad.  They also welcomed back Andrew Fleming and Izek Reid in midfield, while new signing Ryan Williams was included on the substitute bench. Morecambe were without midfielder Andrew Wright after he picked up a one match suspension. 

Three o’clock was just around the corner when both Captains Conor Hourihane and Will Haining emerged from the tunnel followed by their team-mates.  Newly appointed manager John Sheridan was the last to appear from the tunnel with the green army welcoming him to Home Park with a standing ovation.  After Conor Hourihane lost out to the toss of the coin Morecambe kicked off the first half.  Both teams were getting into the game very slowly with not even 5minutes into his first home game John Sheridan was made to make his first substitution of the game.  Tyler Harvey was replacing Irish born Warren Feeney after he landed on his ankle seriously after leaping up for a header for an Argyle attack.  With 10mintes gone in the first half Cork born Conor Hourihane had scored Argyle’s first goal of the game.  After he merged Andrew Parrish of the ball on the left side of the penalty area, he only had one thing in mind, to shoot, and so he did, a right footed curling shot into the bottom right corner of the Devonport net. GOAL.  What a start to John Sheridan’s reign as Plymouth Argyle manager.  Morecambe were rocking and six minutes later former Woking winger Paris Cowan-Hall had made it 2-0 to the Pilgrims.   Debutant Ronan Murray hitched onto Bhasera’s pass on the left wing; he then crossed the ball low and powerfully into the box for Paris Cowan-Hall to slide home his fifth goal of the season since arriving to Plymouth in the summer.  Both teams were still creating great opportunities when manager Jim Bentley rose from his seat to question a bookable offence after Andrew Parrish was shown a yellow card just after the half hour mark.  Morecambe were getting into the game after a very nervy start from them, Kevin Ellison created their first cut opportunity after he shot from close range captain Conor Hourihane was at the near post to clear the danger for the Pilgrims.  The visitors had corner after corner in front of their own fans, Argyle stood tall and defended solidly with Guy Branston shouting instruction to other players. Half Time had come with the referee blowing the whistle, Argyle are 2-0 up. 

Second half was around the corner with the visitors appearing from the away changing rooms first.  Minutes later Argyle appeared after John Sheridan had given his first half time team talk.  What a half time team talk Morecambe had, they were completely a different team, Argyle were second best to everything.  Morecambe had a superb opportunity to get back into the game with Jordan Burrow heading over Gilmartin’s crossbar from a perfect swirling delivery from Robbie Threlfall.  Most of the green army’s heart sunk when he missed that chance as he should have scored from a free header, metres from Gilmartin’s goal. The goal eventually came for the guests after pouring huge amounts of pressure on Argyle.  Substitute Ryan Williams had scored after 80minutes with a shot from outside the penalty area.  Rene Gilmartin did not move from his goal as he watched it lope over his head and into the back of the goal.   Game on.  Morecambe had nearly scored another.  Substitute Jack Redshaw found himself free inside the penalty area. Fortunately for Argyle he had diverted the football wide off the post, a let off for the men in green.  Andrew Parrish had earned himself a second yellow card after bringing down Onismor Bhasera on the half way line, and so he went for an early bath.  Ronan Murray was inches close to scoring Argyle’s third goal of the afternoon.  A curling shot beat the opposition’s goalkeeper Barry Roche and rebounded of the post. 

Full Time Argyle had won 2-1 in John Sheridan’s first game in charge.            

Argyle (4-4-2): 20 Rene Gilmartin; 2 Durrell Berry, 17 Curtis Nelson, 5 Guy Branston, 14 Onismor Bhasera; 7 Paris Cowan-Hall, 6 Conor Hourihane (capt), 4 Maxime Blanchard (8 Luke Young 90), 16 Jamie Lowry (15 Paul Wotton 77); 11 Warren Feeney (29 Tyler Harvey 8), 28 Ronan Murray. Substitutes (not used): 1 Jake Cole (gk), 3 Robbie Williams, 10 Rhys Griffiths, 19 Joe Lennox.

Booked: Harvey 37.

Morecambe (4-4-2): 1 Barry Roche; 22 Andrew Parrish, 2 Nicholas Fenton, 6 Will Haining (capt), 3 Robbie Threlfall (27 Jack Redshaw 76); 7 Izak Reid (16 Stewart Drummond 31), 17 Andrew Fleming, 18 Gary McDonald (10 Ryan Williams 67), 11 Kevin Ellison; 14 Jordan Burrow, 9 Lewis Alessandra. Substitutes (not used): 12 Dan Parkinson, 15 Chris McCready, 19 Joe McGee, 25 Andreas Arestidou (gk).

Sent off: Parrish 85.

Booked: Parrish 26, Threlfall 29, Fenton 90.

Referee: Tim Robinson.
Attendance: 6,401 (33 away).

Plymouth ARGYLE vs Morecambe-Match Preview

In John Sheridan’s first game in charge he will face a challenging opposition in 17^th place Morecambe in a 3 O’clock kick-off at Home Park.

With 19 games still to play new manager John Sheridan’s only thought is about avoiding relegation for the second successive season.  The Pilgrims are currently place in 23^rd place, with only Bristol Rover’s situated below the Devon club. If Sheridan can record a miracle, he will be offered an extended contact into the 2013-14 season, John has only been given a contact until the end of the season by owner and chairman James Brent.        

John Sheridan was appointed Plymouth Argyle manager late Sunday afternoon after he had witnessed Argyle’s heaviest defeat of the season, where the Pilgrims went down 4-0 at Port Vale, with Nick Chadwick being shown a straight red card after an off the ball incident with Ashley Vincent just after the half hour mark.  The Staffordshire born player will now serve a 6-match ban.  The first three game ban he will face will be because of the red card he received, the second three game ban Chadwick will serve was reinforced by the Football League.  They have stepped in as he did the same off-the ball incident in the first minute of the encounter but the incident went unseen by the referees.  The forward has also been disciplined by Plymouth Argyle for his behaviour. 

Since John Sheridan’s arrival to Plymouth, formally of Manchester City, he has brought in two players until the end of the season, 21year old striker Ronan Murray, has come to Home Park on loan from the Tractor Boys, Ipswich Town. The Irish born spent last season on loan to Swindon, who he helped get promotion into Npower League 1.    The 48 year old has also brought in vastly experienced central defender and former Pilgrim Guy Branston until the end of this current season.  The last time Guy appeared in a green shirt was 14years ago in the 1998-1999 season on loan from his boyhood club, Leicester City.  The forward and defender are expected to play some part in the game against Morecambe on Saturday at Home Park, home Plymouth Argyle.

 

Available: - Jake Cole, Rene Gilmartin, Ollie Chenoweth, Durrell Berry, Curtis Nelson, Jamie Richards, Guy Branston, Maxime Blanchard, Robbie Williams Onismor Bhasera, Conor Hourihane, Jamie Lowry, Joe Lennox, Paris Cowan-Hall, Luke Young, Andres Gurrieri, Paul Wotton, Rhys Griffiths, Warren Feeney, Matt LeCointe, Tyler Harvey, Jared Sims, Ronan Murray

Unavailable: - Nick Chadwick (serving a 6game ban).   

Port Vale vs Plymouth ARGYLE-Match Preview

Following the 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers on New Year’s Day at the Memorial Ground, Carl Fletcher was dismissed as the Argyle manager minutes after the full time whistle had gone by Chairman James Brent.  

Formally of Crystal Palace, Carl Fletcher took over in the Argyle hotspot after Peter Reid was sacked in early September 2011 by former Director Peter Reidsdale.  Fletcher’s first game in charge was a fans re-united encounter against Macclesfield Town at Home Park, whilst the Pilgrims were still in administration.  Plymouth Argyle had their first win in 9 matches when they defeated The Silkmen 2-0.  After two relegations in two seasons for the Pilgrims, it was Carl Fletcher’s job to keep the greens afloat in league 2, and so he did, a mission completed.  Spirits were high for the 2012-13 season when Carl Fletcher signed a one-year rolling contact for the term. After only 1 victory in 15 league games, Fletcher’s time with the Pilgrims came to an end on New Year’s Day 2013 after he had spent four years at the club, both as a manager and as a player.   

Plymouth Argyle will now focus on the game ahead, Port Vale away.  With no manager announcements until after Saturday’s game, long serving Romain Larrieu and Coach Kevin Nacekivell have been put in temporary charge of the Pilgrims visit to Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent.  Port Vale’s last game came at home to Fleetwood on January 1^st.  Graham Alexander’s Fleetwood went away with all three points after the Lancashire side were victorious winning 2-0.

During this January transfer window former Scotland under 21 international player Alex MacDonald is very unlikely to make a permanent switch to Plymouth Argyle from Burnley after the removal of Carl Fletcher.  The player who has been on loan to Argyle twice in two separate loan deals will have to wait on what the new manager will say.  From Darren Purse being placed on the transfer list, he was able to find a new club.  Purse is expected to complete a move to Port Vale today, Argyle’s opponents tomorrow.  If they paperwork is completed on time Purse is unlikely to play against Argyle tomorrow due to him picking up a hamstring injury while he was with the Pilgrims.

For Kevin Nacekivell and Romain Larrieu’s first game in charge of the Pilgrims who knows what the starting line-up might be.  There are two players doubtful for their trip to Port Vale on Saturday, Robbie Williams and Tyler Harvey.  Striker Harvey has a slight calf injury, whilst Williams picked up a nock in Carl Fletcher’s last game in charge.  Argyle will be without one influential player Mark Molesley, he has returned to his parent club AFC Bournemouth after his loan with the Pilgrims expired after the Rovers meeting.  

Available: Jake Cole, Rene Gilmartin, Ollie Chenoweth, Durrell Berry, Curtis Nelson, Jamie Richards, Maxime Blanchard, Onismor Bhasera, Conor Hourihane, Jamie Lowry, Joe Lennox, Paul Wotton, Luke Young, Paris Cowan-Hall, Isaac Vassell, Andres Gurrieri, Jared Sims, Nick Chadwick, Warren Feeney, Rhys Griffiths, Jared Sims,

Doubtful: Robbie Williams (slight nock), Tyler Harvey (slight calf injury)

Unavailable: Mark Molesley (loan expired).