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

IT’S Derby Day, Plymouth will make there shortest journey yet as they travel to Devon Rivals Torquay United on a Tuesday evening in a 7:45pm kick-off . 

Can Argyle make it eight games unbeaten when they travel to the seaside town or will United get their first win in three games?

The last time The Pilgrims went seven games unbeaten in the league was season 2006-2007.  Recently having his contract terminated by Premier League Club Crystal Palace, Ian Holloway was the man in charge of the greens that season when the team was chasing a play-off space in the Championship. Ian Holloway’s team finished in 11th position that season on 67 points.  Is the season starting to make a turn, will Argyle make it eight games in all competitions unbeaten?

Twenty third placed Torquay United captained by Lee Mansell are currently placed in the last relegation place just above Northampton Town who are occupying the bottom of League Two this season after an outing to Wembley in the play-off final last season.  Winning once in nine, the Gulls will look to get back to the winning ways. Torquay's last outing in SkyBet League Two was the Saturday just passed.  The Gulls were up in Liverpool to play Accrington Stanley.  The visitors took the lead through former West Ham Loanee Paul McCallum in the first half.  Accrington equalized shortly afterwards after Kal Naismith scored twice, the first goal coming from a header.  The second goal came when Nicky Hunt floated in a cross and Naismith headed the ball into the back of the net.    

On the same Saturday Plymouth Argyle were home to a much improved Dagenham and Redbridge squad than past seasons in League Two.  After quite a cagey first half from the Pilgrims, hat trick hero from the previous game Reuben Reid popped up with a fine finish coming from the inside of the post from 25yards on 44minutes.  The lead didn't last long, a finalist with Bradford City at Wembley last season, Zavon Hines, was on the front foot calmly passing the ball passed Luke McCormick in  the bottom of the corner following a slip from right back Maxime Blanchard in added time of the first half.   Argyle improved their game hugely in the second half and it was awarded with a superb goal from loyal lad Luke Young.  Reuben Reid forced a free kick from just outside the box.  Young hit a sweet curling ball inside and passed goalkeeper Craig Lewington and into the goal in front of the Devonport Stand.  The fans went wild.       

John Sheridan will welcome back left back Jamie Reckord for the short trip to South Devon.   The Wolverhampton loanee has missed the past two games, the FA Cup first round reply and a SkyBet League Two fixture, due to illness after being substituted in the 1-1 draw at York City.  Torquay United are however without many first team players for the visit of Plymouth Argyle at Plainmoor.  Striker Paul McCallum has returned to his parent club, West Ham United, after suffering a back injury.  Billy Bodin and Ben Harding will also miss the much awaited Devon Derby due to cartilage and foot injuries.  As fellow striker McCallum returned to London Alan Knill has been forced into looking for a striker in the loan market.  John Marquis joined the Gulls on an initial one month loan deal from Championship outfit Millwall on Monday afternoon.  

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

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Marvin Morgan (shoulder injury), Nick Chadwick (on loan to Tamworth until January 2014),

SkyBet League Two - Plymouth Argyle vs Dagenham & Redbridge - Match Preview

Plymouth Argyle will go into the game against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday six games unbeaten with only one goal conceded.

The Pilgrims go into Saturdays fixture full of confidence following a 5-0 thrashing of Conference Skrill club Lincoln City. The Wednesday night contest surely entertained the crowd with Reuben Reid, on a season long loan from Championship side Yeovil, scored a Hat-trick. Reuben Reid was the first Argyle player to do so for 7 and a half years.

A former Plymouth Argyle player will return to Home Park with the visiting team, Dagenham and Redbridge. Manager Wayne Burnett, a former Argyle player between the years of 1993 and 1995 made 70 appearences scoringthree goals in his time in Plymouth.

John Sheridan has strengthed his attacking options by making his second signing out of the loan market during Friday Afternoon. Born in Canada, America, Caolan Lavery first began his career at Red Deer Renegades. Moving to Northern Ireland soon after he started playing for Goodyear F.C. Whilst over in Ireland Caolan had trials with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic. Neatherless Caolan never gave up and was awarded with a trial at Championship side Ipswich Town and was succesful in 2009. In 2011, the striker turned down an offer from the Tractor Boys and left after his academy schoolarship expired. In 2011, the Cadanian joined Sheffield Wednesday following unsuccessful trails at Sunderland and Leicester. Sheffield Wednesday striker Caolan Lavery has joined the Pilgrims on a deal until the New Year 2014. Caolan has recently been on International Duty with the Northern Ireland 21's squad.

Plymouth Argyle will still be without Marvin Morgan and Matt LeCointe due to shoulder and knee injuries. Tope Abadeyi will be eager to make his SkyBet League Two debut after signing on loan from Bury prier to the Lincoln City fixture at Sincil Bank in the first round. Caolan will also be aiming to make the starting 11 following his move from Sheffield Wednesday. John Sheridan has stated Andres Gurrieri will start the SkyBet League Two fixture on Saturday after his post match interview on Wednesday. Luke McCormick will alsostart in goal for the game against Dagenham and Redbridge. Jamie Reckord is very doubtful for the fixture due to illness. The left back was subsitituted during Argyle's 1-1 draw at York City last Saturday and did not take any part in Plymouth's victory on Wednesday.

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

Doubtful: Jamie Recford (suffering with illness)

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Marvin Morgan (shoulder injury), Nick Chadwick (on loan to Tamworth until January 2014),

First Round FA Cup - Lincoln City vs Plymouth Argyle - Match Preview

Plymouth Argyle will be trying to make it third time lucky this Saturday in the first round draw of the FA Cup when they travel to Skrill Conference side Lincoln City.

Plymouth will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins following two late goals to win the previous two fixtures in League Two. Firstly three points came away at Mansfields while the second three points came at home to Northampton Town last Saturday. Both of the goals to win the matches have come in the 90minute or more. Unbeaten in the last three fixture both in League and in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. The full time Skrill team will be looking to make it four unbeaten when Plymouth Argyle visit on FA Cup weekend.

From the previous two season Argyle have failed to progress to the second round after being knocked out of the cup by two non league clubs both televised on ESPN each year. The first club to overcome The Pilgrims were Stourbridge in October 2011, who are currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division. The first result was a 3-3 draw at Home Park and a replay was needed to be played to decide who was to progress to the next round of the draw. Live on ESPN at The War Memorial Athletic Ground Stournridge were to make one of many upsets when they had nocked Plymouth out with a 2-0 win. The following season the Devon club were also drawn against a lower opposition team. Was the luck to change? Unfortunetly not, live also on ESPN, Argyle travelled to Dorcester in the first round draw. Following an early red card for Conor Hourihane, Exeter City striker, who was on loan to Dorcester at the time, Jake Gosling scored the only goal in the 49minute.

In season 2012-13 Lincoln City, who were playing there game in the Conference Premier, were through to the first round of the FA Cup after progressing through the FA qualifing round with a victory over FC Halifax Town winning 2-0 after a first 0-0 draw at home. Lincoln City were to travel to Walsall for the replay. The RedImps won the fixture 2-3 and were put into the second round draw. The Lioncolnshire side were drawn at home to Mansfield in the second round. A 3-3 draw was the result of the fixture and so another 90minutes was to be played at the One Call Stadium. Lincoln were sadly knocked out of the cup after a 2-1 defeat in December 2011. This season the RedImps have defeated Worcester in the FA Cup qualifying rounds following a replay after a 1-1 draw, they were 3-0 winners at home on Tuesday 29th October 2013.

The Plymouth Argyle squad travelled to Lincoln on Friday without defender Guy Branston. The centre back picked up his five bookage offence last Saturday at Home Park in Argyle's 1-0 over Northampton Town. Guy may now serve a one match ban. John Sheridan made his third loan signing on the season on Thursday afternoon. Joined on loan from League Two opposition Bury, former England U20 International Tope Abadeyi has joined Sheridan for the second time, firstly at Chesterfield 2011, until January 4th 2014. Jake Cole will replace regular goalkeeper Luke McCormick in goal against Lincoln City with Sheridan stating in his press conference Luke will resume his place in the squad next week when Plymouth Argyle return to League action with a fixture away at York City. Lincoln City's Liam Farman will face a late fitness test following a knee injury. Jon Nolan will be looking for a recall to the squad after missing last weekends 1-0 defeat to Welling.

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

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Marvin Morgan (shoulder injury), Nick Chadwick (on loan to Tamworth until January 2014), Ryan Lane (knee injury), Guy Branston (suspended)

Remembrance Day Rugby Match In Aid Of The Poppy Appeal - Combined Services vs The Barbarians

For the second time in a few years Plymouth will host one exciting rugby match at Brickfields on 12th November 2013 home of Plymouth Albion.  The Combined Services will take on the Barbarians at Brickfields live on Sky Sports and the BBC in a 7:15pm kick-off.

A remembrance Day fixture will be in aid of the Royal British Legion to get together to remember the ones who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Services for their country.  The poppy has been in use since 1920 to remember solider who have unfortunately lost their life in the war.  The poppy was first used by The American Legion in 1914 to remember the fallen.  Some after the poppy was then wore in Commonwealth countries, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  To this day the United Kingdom and Canada are the main countries to respect the service men and women who have lost their lives doing the jobs they loved and cherished.  The poppy is worn on clothing weeks upto and including the day 11th November of Remembrance Day.     

There are going to be many highlighted players playing at Brickfields non so than Gareth Evans who is currently in his second spell of playing for Plymouth Albion.  Born in 1982 in Taplow, Buckingshire, Gareth standing at 6'0 started his rugby career at Slough.  Following a spell with Slough, Gareth Evans made the long trip down to Devon to sign a contract with Plymouth Albion in 2007.  After six season at Brickfield, the Royal Marine Sergeant signed for Premiership outfit London Welsh.  The 30 year old returned to Brickfields in 2013 following an injury hit previous season in the Premiership.    

Another stand out player who will be featuring is Apolosi Vonowale Satala, born in Namoli, Fiji 1978.  Satala has served in the Army for the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.  Currently at Sale Sharks in Manchester Satala has previously worn the colours of Gloucester, year 2010-12, and Leeds Carnegie, years 2007-2010.  Nicknamed Apo, Apolosi also featured in international rugby participating for his hometown club Fiji making four caps since 2005. 

An afternoon full of activities followed by the Combined Services vs Barbarians match, what other way do you want to spend a remembrance day than at Plymouth Albion? 

SkyBet League Two - Plymouth Argyle vs Northampton Town - Match Preview

There is only one name to be announced around Home Park and that is Neal Trotman. Conor Hourihane floated in an exquisite free kick to the back post, BANG Trotman headed home the winner in the 93rd minute.

Plymouth Argyle welcome Northampton Town to Home Park on Saturday, following there victory over Mansfield the week previously. Northampton however drew 1-1 at home to Cheltenham Town. the one point which the Clobbers picked up left them in 23rd place in the relegation zone on 10points. Argyle however dropped one place to 19th position following York City marvellous 4-1 victory over Scunthorpe in midweek.

Aidy Boothroyd's last visit to Plymouth with his Clobbers came on September 1st 2012, in season 2012-13. Alex Nicholls gave the visitors a half time lead 1-0 lead after scoring in the 26th minute. A second half turn around it was when Warren Feeney, now playing his football at Salisbury, equalised for the Pilgrims. Back in his hometown of Wales Rhys Griffiths the Fire-fighter gave the Green Amy something to shout about when he gave Argyle the lead inside the hour mark. Transformed into a striker for the game Curtis Nelson gave the Pilgrims a 3-1 lead before the fixture finished 3-2 when David Artell's scored with the last kick off the game.

Going to Wembley would be a dream come true for any player or fan, and so it did for Matt Duke who has played at the heart of English Football twice in a space of a few months. Matt first stepped on the Wembley pitch when Bradford entertainment Swansea in the 2013 Football League Cup Final. Unfortunately it didn't end up with smiles on the faces of the City players or fans as they lost 5 -0. In the fixture Matt Duke received a straight red card for bringing down Jonathon De Guzman in the box. It must have been second time lucky when Matt Duke returned to Wembley Stadium with his Bradford City teammates in May 2013. Matt kept a clean sheet and helped defeat Plymouth Argyle opponents on Saturday afternoon Northampton Town 3-0. In June 2013 Matt Duke signed a 2-year deal with Northampton Town. So far this season the goalkeeper has made 12 appearences for the Cobblers.

Matt LeCointe and Marvin Morgan remain the only absentee's for the fixture against Northampton, whilst Nick Chadwick has joined and scored two on his debut last weekend for Tamworth in the Skrill Premier. The Evertonian has joined the Staffordshire side until the New Year of 2014. Northampton manager Aidy Bothroyd will be looking to put new loan signing Kane Ferdinand straight into the squad against Plymouth. The cousin of Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, Antalyaspor defender Anton Ferdinand and former professional footballer Les Ferdinand has joined Northampton Town from parent club Peterborough, in League One, on a one month loan deal. Roy O'Donovan is out of Saturday's League Two fixture, the forward has had a successful Hernia operation and will be out of action for a period of time. Roy joins a host of other players on the injury list; Clive Platt, Matt Heath, Lewis Hornby, Kelvin Langmead, Alex Nicholls and Kevin Amankwaah.

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

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Marvin Morgan (shoulder injury), Nick Chadwick (on loan to Tamworth until January 2014)