SkyBet League Two - Plymouth Argyle vs Accrington Stanley - Match Preview

An afternoon at Home Park will relish the homecoming of the 2001-2002 promotion winning team, and a milestone for Conor Hourihane, who will make his 100^th appearance in green. 

Plymouth Argyle will welcome Accrington Stanley to Devon on Saturday in the SkyBet League Two.  The basement club managed by former premier league player James Beattie have only one point on the board following losing their past seven games.   Beattie first joined the League Two club on 9^th November 2012 as player/manager.  Following making 25 appearances and scoring 6 goals in that season, the midfielder was named Stanley’s new manager on 13^th May 2013 following the departure of Leam Richardson. 

Arriving from Ipswich in the summer of 2011, Peter Reid named Conor Hourihane in the starting eleven, making his football league debut at the age of 20, in the opening game against Shrewsbury.   The talented midfielder scored his first football league goal in the 3-2 away victory over Dagenham and Redbridge in his first full season as a professional.   The Northern Ireland international has played under three managers since joining the Pilgrims.  In January of last year Conor was named the new Argyle captain after the departure of Darren Purse to Port Vale.  In the summer, Hourihane signed a new two year deal and is set to mark Saturday’s fixture against Accrington Stanley’s as his 100^th appearance for Argyle.  Also set to make his century for Argyle today if he plays is Curtis Nelson, the defender has made 99 appearances for the Devon club. 

Accrington Stanley’s last visit to Plymouth ended in a goalless draw on 26^th January 2013.  In the Stanley squad that day was current Pilgrim Romuald Boco.  The midfielder joined Argyle this summer and signed a one year deal for the Plymouth club.   

Transfer listed Nick Chadwick is back training after undergoing an operation in London during the off season that has just passed.  The only absentee from the squad is striker Matt LeCointe, the former Ivybridge Community College pupil is expected to be out for the ramada of the current season through a cruciate knee ligament injury.  The injury was sustained when an Argyle X1 played Truro City in pre-season with Matt colliding with the opposition goalkeeper.  Accrington Stanley are still missing numerous players due to injuries, goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, defenders Michael Liddle and Laurence Wilson, and striker Danny Webber will all missd the fixture due to injuries.     

Available: - Jake Cole, Luke McCormick, Guy Branston, Curtis Nelson, Paul Wotton, Maxime Blanchard, Jamie Richards, Neal Trotman, Durrell Berry, Andre Blackman, Jamie Reckord, Ben Purrington, Andres Gurrieri, Conor Hourihane, Romuald Boco, Dominic Blizzard, Hamza Bencherif, Luke Young, Ryan Lane, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Tyler Harvey, Isaac Vassell, Nick Chadwick

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury),

SkyBet League Two - Scunthorpe United vs Plymouth Argyle - Match Preview

A couple of seasons ago this would have been a Championship fixture, now both in the forth tier; Scunthorpe United welcome Plymouth Argyle to Glanford Park in SkyBet League Two.   

 

Following relegation from Npower League One (original sponsor, now SkyBet League One)Scunthorpe United appointed Brian Laws on 29^th October 2012 following the dismissal of Alan Knill now at Argyle’s neighbours Torquay United to help steer them away from relegation, following his appointment for the third time as their manager he was unable to avoid relegation to the forth tier of English football. 

After nearly ten 10 years at the clubs, years 1997 - 2004 and 2004 to 2006, Laws left the club to manage Sheffield United and Burnley.  He then returned to the club in 2012 after being sacked in December 2010 by Burnley.      

Plymouth Argyle will be looking to bounce back from their very disappointing result last Saturday, home to Wycombe Wanders.  The squad lost 3-0 with Wanders taking the three points.  This left Argyle dropping to sixteenth place in the take instead of the play-offs if they had won the fixture.  Scunthorpe will be looking to make it back to back victories following a 1-0 away win at Southend United last Friday evening lifting them to 11th in the SkyBet League Two table..     

The last time both sides met in the league was in the Championship, season 2009-10.  On Saturday October 3^rd 2009, it was the first of the two fixtures in the league when Argyle welcomed Scunthorpe to Devon.  On this occasion Plymouth won the encounter 2-1 with goals from Jamie Mackie, now playing for Nottingham Forrest and Alan Judge from the penalty box.  The Scunthorpe goal also came from a penalty but Judge was on hand to hand the Devon side all three points.  The reserve fixture was played on Saturday 20^th March 2010, despite Argyle taking a 1-0 lead, the strike coming from Jamie Mackie, the Pilgrims were unable to hold onto the lead for long when Scunthorpe equalized on the half way mark in the first half from Garry Thompson.  The Lincolnshire side won the game with half an hour to go with Martyn Woolford scoring the second goal of the afternoon for the Irons.         

The Irons will be without winger Ashley Welsh as he has to undergo a knee operation.  Other than this injury Brian Laws has no new injuries or suspensions from his players.  A twenty man Argyle squad travelled to Lincoln on Friday, with no new injuries for Plymouth Argyle when they visit Glanford Park Saturday afternoon. John Sheridan is still without strikers Matt LeCointe and Nick Chadwick.  The pair have not featured this current season due to knee injuries. After last weekend’s result for Argyle, John Sheridan has insisted on making changes to the squad for the fixture in Scunthorpe. 

Available: - Jake Cole, Luke McCormick, Guy Branston, Curtis Nelson, Paul Wotton, Maxime Blanchard, Jamie Richards, Neal Trotman, Durrell Berry, Andre Blackman, Jamie Reckord, Ben Purrington, Andres Gurrieri, Conor Hourihane, Romuald Boco, Dominic Blizzard, Hamza Bencherif, Luke Young, Ryan Lane, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Tyler Harvey, Isaac Vassell. 

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Nick Chadwick (knee injury)

SkyBet League Two - Plymouth Argyle vs Wycombe Wanders - Match Preview

Curtis Nelson is back in contention for Saturday’s game following a one match suspension, which he has served, after being sent off at Cheltenham.  

Plymouth Argyle will return to Home Park for the second of two home games on Saturday in which Wycombe Wanders will be the visitors. With one point separating both teams in the league table it is sure to be a tough test for the clubs.  Argyle will want to process on their winning mentality and get their fourth victory out of five league encounters.  John Sheridan’s side only loss came at Morecambe a fortnight ago.  Wycombe Wanders boss Gareth Ainsworth will also want his squad to progress on their three points following a 2-1 win away at Hartlepool last Saturday.    

The two side’s last meeting between each other was in the 2012-13 season on December 29^th 2012.  Carl Fletcher was still in charge of the Pilgrims having been relieved of his duties two days later.  Plymouth Argyle lost this fixture after an 11st minute winning goal from Matt McClure for the visitors.  The clubs will now meet at Home Park with one managerial change, this from the home club.  John Sheridan is now in charge of the Pilgrims and has been since January 6^th of this year.  Gareth Ainsworth was the care-taker manager of the Buckinghamshire side on that day, taking part in the full 90minutes, now he returns to Home Park as the Wycombe Wanders manager

Matt LeCointe and Nick Chadwick are the only absentees for Saturday’s visit of Wanders.  The pair have not taken part in any league fixtures this campaign as knee injuries continue to destruct their season.  Paul Wotton will be giving manager John Sheridan a headache when it comes to selecting the team on the afternoon of the fixture.  The defender made his comeback, from suffering broken ribs in the opening league fixture on August 3^RD, on Tuesday in a development game at against Torquay at Plainmoor.  Wycombe Wanders midfielder Paris Cowan-Hall will not be making a return to Home Park for the SkyBet League Two fixture.  The 22 year old, who was part of the Argyle squad which narrowly avoided relegation last season, was on course to make a comeback from injury in the fixture following a knee injury but is yet to participate in full training and so he will miss out.  Newly signed for Blackpool Charles Dunne has re-joined Wycombe Wanders on loan as part of the deal until the end of the season.  The defender is available for selection after serving his suspension.  Manager Gareth Ainsworth will assess the fitness of Dean Morgan and Josh Scowen ahead of their trip to Plymouth.  Following the extension of his loan deal from Sunderland Billy Knott is looking to start the fixture which would have been the end to his loan deal.              

Available: - Jake Cole, Luke McCormick, Guy Branston, Curtis Nelson, Paul Wotton, Maxime Blanchard, Jamie Richards, Neal Trotman, Durrell Berry, Andre Blackman, Jamie Reckord, Ben Purrington, Andres Gurrieri, Conor Hourihane, Romuald Boco, Dominic Blizzard, Hamza Bencherif, Luke Young, Ryan Lane, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Tyler Harvey, Isaac Vassell. 

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Nick Chadwick (knee injury)

  

SkyBet League Two - Plymouth Argyle vs Bristol Rovers - Match Preview

Following a dramatic Tuesday evening fixture away to Cheltenham Town, Plymouth Argyle will return to Home Park where they will welcome John Ward’s Bristol Rovers.

The Johnstone Paint Trophy took centre stage on Tuesday and Wednesday night when League One and League Two clubs fort it out in the first round competition.  This is the only competition in which League One and Two clubs compete in.  There are two sections, the Northern section and the Southern section.  The winners of the Northern section and the Southern section will go head to head at Wembley to win the Johnstone Paint trophy.  In this week’s first round draw Plymouth Argyle travelled back to Cheltenham for the second time this season and Bristol Rovers were drawn against rivals Bristol City at Ashton Gate.  On Tuesday evening Cheltenham Town welcomed Argyle to The Abbey Business Stadium.  As of full time the result was drawn 3-3, in this competition it goes straight to penalties if there isn’t a winner from the 90minutes.  Considering the Devon club hadn’t won a penalty shot-out since 1998 there was not much hope, but Argyle surprised the fans once again when Marvin Morgan slot home the winner, winning 5-4 on the night.  The attention was then turned to the Bristol Derby on Wednesday night, which was aired live on SkySports Two, the first for over 6 years, had so much anticipation on the game.  The game which was overturned for crowd problems ended 2-1 to Bristol City, two sublime finishes from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and former Argyle player Joe Bryan won the fixture. 

In recent seasons this fixture has been a high scoring derby in midweek.  As this will be the first fixture that Bristol Rovers have played Argyle on a Saturday for many years the Home Park faithful will be eager to cheer the players onto three points and the Rovers fans will be doing the same thing. The last meeting between the two sides was when Argyle lost 2-1 at The Memorial Ground on New Year’s Day 2013, this was the day that former player and manager Carl Fletcher was relieved of his duty at Plymouth Argyle.  Now managed by John Ward Bristol Rovers went into the half time break on New Year’s Day winning 2-0 with goals from Joe Anyinsah and Matt Lund.  Conor Hourihane pulled a goal back after the half time break but it wasn’t enough for Argyle to get anything from the game as the Pilgrims lost 2-1.            

Midfielder Hamza Bencherif and Wolverhampton loanee Jamie Reckord will be determined to make their home debuts on Saturday when Argyle play host to Bristol Rovers at Home Park.  The pair were signed on deadline day on short term details until January 1^st 2014 respectfully. One player who John Sheridan won’t be able to call upon is central defender Curtis Nelson.  He was sent off in Tuesday evenings Johnstone Paint Trophy first round victory against Cheltenham Town, Nelson will serve a one match ban.  Bristol Rovers Matt Harold will make his long awaited return to the squad after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury last September; he did however make the bench but was never required for action on Wednesday against Bristol Rovers.                   

Available: - Jake Cole, Luke McCormick, Guy Branston, Maxime Blanchard, Jamie Richards, Neal Trotman, Durrell Berry, Andre Blackman, Jamie Reckord, Ben Purrington, Andres Gurrieri, Conor Hourihane, Romuald Boco, Dominic Blizzard, Hamza Bencherif, Luke Young, Ryan Lane, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Tyler Harvey, Isaac Vassell. 

Doubtful:-  Paul Wotton (broken rib)

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Nick Chadwick (knee injury), Curtis Nelson (suspended)

Cheltenham Town vs Plymouth Argyle - JPT 1st Round

Plymouth Argyle will return to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday evening in the first round of the Johnstone Paint Trophy weeks after running out 3-1 winners in the league.

Both teams will be using this fixture to return to winning ways after the teams were both on the losing side on Saturday.  Plymouth Argyle were defeated 2-1 by Morecambe following Reuben Reid giving Argyle the lead from the penalty spot in the first half.  Straight from the kick off Argyle had conceded an equalizing goal.  Eight minutes from the full time whistle Morecambe had scored the winner goal which granted them the three points.  Whereas, for Cheltenham Town, they went down 4-1 to Bury at Gigg Lane.  The home side were behind in the opening 4 minutes from an Andy Procter own goal.  Minutes later Bury had levelled from a Danny Mayor goal.  Andy Procter made up from his earlier mistake by giving Bury the lead for the first time in that fixture.  A Nathan Cameron goal 5 minutes later gave the home side a 3-1 lead going into the half time break.  During the second half it all went quiet until the 76^th minute when Jessy Reindorf gave bury a 4-1 lead and that’s how it finished at Gigg Lane on Saturday afternoon.  

A transfer window this summer was all about Gareth Bale’s world record move to Real Madrid, Plymouth Argyle and Cheltenham Town have today, Monday 2^nd September, signed players on Transfer Deadline Day.  John Sheridan the Plymouth Argyle manager has signed two players.  The first player Sheridan welcomed to Home Park was Hamza Bencherif, a 25 year old Algerian midfielder.  Formally of Notts County, Hamza has been on trail with the Pilgrims for the past week, and played 80minutes in a friendly at Home Park against Bristol City.  He has signed a short term deal and is eligible for Tuesdays night’s fixture at The Abbey Business Stadium.  John Sheridan’s second signing of the day came an hour after the first, Jamie Reckford a left back at Wolverhampton has joined the Pilgrims on the three month loan deal.  His loan will run up to and include the New Years Day fixture against Torquay.  The signing of Reckford also came in time for him to play in tomorrow’s first round fixture.  Cheltenham Town manager Mark Yates has brought in a midfielder.  Rotherham United’s David Noble has joined the Robins on loan until January.  The former Arsenal trainee is available for selection to Mark Yates for the Johnstone Paint Trophy first round fixture at home to Plymouth Argyle.  Cheltenham Town have also had a departing player on the final day of the transfer window.  Billy Jones a former Exeter City and Crewe defender left the club by mutual consent after not making an appearance for the Gloucester side this season.            

Pilgrims boss John Sheridan will be looking at making changes to the squad after the 2-1 defeat at Morecambe on Saturday.  Left Back Jamie Reckford will be aiming to make his debut for Argyle at The Abbey Business Stadium as well as midfielder Hamza Bencherif who both signed loan and short term deals on Transfer Deadline Day.  Andres Gurrieri, Luke Young and Tyler Harvey will also aim to make it into the starting eleven on Tuesday.  Cheltenham Town striker Jamie Cureton will be looking to be in the squad tomorrow evening.  The former Exeter City forward has been absent from the squad since dislocating his shoulder in his debut game for the Robins against Burton Albion in the first league game of the season.   David Noble will be looking to make an impact in the fixture after arriving on loan from Rotherham on transfer deadline day.          

Available: - Jake Cole, Luke McCormick, Durrell Berry, Guy Branston, Maxime Blanchard, Curtis Nelson, Jamie Richards, Neal Trotman, Andre Blackman, Jamie Reckord, Ben Purrington, Andres Gurrieri, Conor Hourihane, Romuald Boco, Dominic Blizzard, Hamza Bencherif, Luke Young, Ryan Lane, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Tyler Harvey, Isaac Vassell. 

Unavailable: - Paul Wotton (broken rib), Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Nick Chadwick (knee injury)