Plymouth ARGYLE vs Cheltenham Town-Match Report

Plymouth Argyle 2

 

Reid 40'

Hector (og) 54'

 

 Cheltenham Town 0

 

Plymouth Argyle moved three points clear of the relegation zone after a 2-0 victory over automatic promotion chasing Cheltenham Town at Home Park. 

John Sheridan had made two chances to the side that had lost to York City on Easter Monday. Captain Conor Hourihane was absent from the squad through suspension, whilst winger Paris Cowan-Hall was dropped to the substitute bench.  The players to come into the side were Curtis Nelson and Andres Gurrieri.  Through Irish midfielder Hourihane being suspended for two games, manager John Sheridan named a new captain.  The choice of captain would’ve surprised a lot of fans when Sheridan named Curtis Nelson as the skipper for the Npower League Two fixture.  From the decision Curtis Nelson became the second youngest Argyle player ever to wear the armband since 1969.  Sheridan also welcomed back defender Anthony Charles to the substitute bench after he had recovered from a recurrence of a groin injury.   Cheltenham manager Mark Yates had made no chances from their Easter Monday 1-0 victory over promotion chasing Northampton Town at the Abbey Business Stadium.

Making his first appearance for Argyle in nearly two months, Curtis Nelson, who has recently recovered from a groin injury, was ready to lead by example and walk out his team onto the Home Park pitch following the referees for the start of the fixture.  Curtis Nelson playing in midfield was to get the game underway alongside central midfield partner Luke Young.  The visitors, Cheltenham Town, were well in control of the tempo of the encounter in the early stages of the match forcing an early save of Jake Cole.  Byron Harrison had their first shot on target; a weakened shot was shot straight at Jake Cole, who saved well.  Argyle gradually got into the game, when leading by example captain Curtis Nelson ran towards the goal, with defenders backing off it enabled him to spread the play out wide to Argentine winger Andres Gurrieri, who pinged it across the penalty area to Rueben Reid.  His first touch wasn’t the best as he scuffed the ball missing the target.  Crystal Palace loanee, Jason Banton was once again a threat on both sides of the midfield.  His first shot towards goal ended up in the stand after he fired the shot high and wide over the crossbar. It wasn’t long after that shot that Cheltenhams boss Mark Yates had to make a substitution.  Swindon loanee Paul Benson went down inside Argyles half un-challenged as he tried to receive a pass from midfielder Marlon Pack. Shaun Harrad was to replace Benson upfront, as he was carried off on a stretcher to receive some treatment. Argyle had another shooting opportunity when Andres Gurrieri slide in Jason Banton, who was searching for his 7^th Argyle goal since joining on loan in January. Jason Banton avoiding the off-side track as he got in between the Cheltenham defenders, shot wide from the far post as Scott Brown spread out wide to deny the forward from scoring from an acute angle.  Left-back Onismor Bhasera had another break to give the Pilgrims the lead.  A busting run from the Zimbabwe international was first and a shot followed, goalkeeper Scott Brown was unable to hold onto it and so it fell to Bhasera again, he passed it to Gurrieri who shot went inches wide of the left goal-post from inside the penalty area.  From a Sido Jombati throwing near the opposition dug-out, Argyle had taken the lead just before the interval.  A Blanchard clearance from the throwing fell to Gurrieri who booted it up field.  The ball kindly fell to Yeovil loanee Reuben Reid who held of defender Michael Hector to pass it to Jason Banton.  He then passed it out wide to Joe Bryan who checked inside on his left and spirited towards goal, Bryan un-leashed a shot which rebounded of the far post.  Following a goalmouth scramble inside the box the ball finally fell to Reuben Reid whose shot ended up in the back of the end passing defenders and a goal keeper.  Cheltenham did have a chance on goal just after Plymouth took the lead with Reuben Reid.  After having no-luck right-wing against Onismor Bhasera, McGlashan switched wings.  A daring run by the pasey winger forced a save off Jake Cole after he had cut inside of Blanchard and curled a shot towards goal.  After three additional minutes were played the referee blew for half time.                                  

 Half Time Argyle 1-0 Cheltenham

Argyle was out for the second half starting of the way they finished the first half.  Jason Banton had picked up the ball inside his own half and picked out Reuben Rid on the left wing with a great pass over the midfielders and defenders, Reid then spread the ball to on rushing Joe Bryan who cut inside on the left and shot, a high dipping shot was saved comfortably by Scott Brown.   Argyle had scored again from an own goal by central defender Michael Hector.  Following Hector intercepting an Bryan shot the ball kindly fell to midfielder Luke Young, he then p[assed it to over lapping Onismor Bhasera on the left wing.  Bhasera powerfully ran down the wing to the bar line, shaking off defenders, he then crossed the ball ready for Reid to knock home, but unfortunately for Cheltenham the ball rebounded of Michael Hector and into the back of the Devonport net. Argyle had nearly got another goal after Joe Bryan had intercepted Sam Deering just inside Cheltenham’s half, Banton of laid the ball to Reid who was once again on the left wing, he once again cut inside on the left and forced a great save of Scott Brown in goal.  Cheltenham Town had two every good chances of scoring a goal, with the first one coming after a high ball from Scott Brown, substitute Kaid Mohammed shot after Paul Wotton was unable to hold off his man, Cole made a fantastic save with his feet to deny the substitute.  Mohammad had another chance but shot straight at goalkeeper Jake Cole from outside the penalty box.  Sheridan was forced into make his first substitution of the fixture after Paul Wotton was forced off through a groin injury, the player to replace and partner Branston in the heart of the defence was Anthony Charles.  Reuben Reid had nearly grabbed his second goal of the afternoon, Banton had done exceptionally well to avoid the defenders and find Reid who was unmarked.  He put it onto his right foot and inside Lowe to shot, the shot rebounded of the goalpost and out for a goal kick. After Easter Monday’s disappointing defeat, this victory was well deserved, as the Pilgrims raised four places to 18^th in Npower League Two.                                                                                                                                                                           Full Time: Argyle 2-0 Cheltenham.                                         

Argyle (4-5-1): 1 Jake Cole; 4 Maxime Blanchard, 15 Paul Wotton (26 Anthony Charles 76), 5 Guy Branston, 14 Onismor Bhasera; 27 Andres Gurrieri, 17 Curtis Nelson (capt), 19 Jason Banton (28 Ronan Murray 90), 8 Luke Young, 18 Joe Bryan, 24 Reuben Reid (7 Paris Cowan-Hall 90). Substitutes (not used): 2 Durrell Berry, 9 Nick Chadwick, 20 Rene Gilmartin (gk), 29 Tyler Harvey.

Cheltenham Town (4-4-2): 1 Scott Brown; 2 Keith Lowe, 27 Michael Hector, 6 Steve Elliott, 22 Sido Jombati; 11 Jermaine McGlashan, 7 Marlon Pack, 4 Darren Carter (16 Russell Penn 60), 8 Sam Deering (23 Kaid Mohamed 55); 19 Paul Benson (14 Shaun Harrad 25), 29 Byron Harrison. Substitutes (not used): 3 Billy Jones, 9 Darryl Duffy, 12 Connor Roberts (gk), 25 Jason Taylor.

Booking: Mohammed 65.

Referee: Carl Berry.

Attendance: 7,941 (316 away).