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

On the eve of New Year’s Day Caolan Lavery has extended his loan from Sheffield Wednesday, central defender Neal Trotman is also considering his offer. 

Parent club Sheffield Wednesday have allowed striker Caolan Lavery to stay contracted to Plymouth Argyle for a further month.  The deal is also believed to have a 24 hour release clause on the event that Sheffield Wednesday would like to recall the Northern Irish under 21’s International.  Caolan has scored two league goals in three starts and four substitution appearances for Argyle since joining the Pilgrims.  Former Chesterfield man Neal Trotman has been offered a new contract which would see him contracted to the club until the summer of 2014.  His current contract is due to expire in the New Year. 

Playing in their third Devon Derby this season, Plymouth Argyle will be looking to get the all-important win when they entertain Torquay United for the second time this season. 

Torquay will be looking to bounce back from there defeat to Exeter City last Sunday in the Devon Derby when they travel to Devon for the second consecutive Devon Derby in a matter of a couple of days. Before Sundays result the Gulls had been unbeaten for three fixtures in SkyBet League Two.  A 1-0 victory over Southend, 1-0 away victory at Dagenham & Redbridge and a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.   

The last time the teams met was at Plainmoor in November on a chilly Tuesday Evening.  In a space of a matter of minutes the result had been settled.  Elliot Benyon had put the home side in front on the sixth minute.  Three minutes later referee John East pointed to the penalty spot in Argyle’s favor following a handball in the penalty area.  Reuben Reid calmly slotted home the equalizer to make it one a piece and that’s how it finished, 1-1.  

Jamie Reckord has returned to his parent club Wolverhampton Wanders over the Christmas period.  The left back was struggling to find a permanent place in the team.  Manager John Sheridan expressed that he thought it was best for Jamie to return to The Midlands.  Youth captain, and in his first full season in professional football, Ben Purrington, is a defiant starter against Devon Rivals Torquay United on New Year’s Day at Home Park.  The left back made his debut in the 3-2 away victory at Oxford United and continued his fine form also away at AFC Wimbledon last Sunday.  Also in the thoughts of manager John Sheridan is new recruit Nathan Thomas.  The Sunderland born winger came off the bench in the 81^st minute at AFC Wimbledon.  Torquay United will be without striker John Marquis, the Millwall loanee has returned to his parent club to receive treatment on burst cyst.  The injury ruled him out of the 3-1 defeat to Exeter City played at Plainmoor on Sunday. Jayden Stockley on loan from AFC Bournemouth is set to return after recovering from a back problem.                  

Available:- Jake Cole, Luke McCormick, Curtis Nelson, Maxime Blanchard, 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, Isaac Vassell, Caolan Lavery, Tope Obadeyi, Nathan Thomas

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

SkyBet League Two AFC Wimbledon vs Plymouth Argyle - Match Preview

Boxing Day, 17 years unbeaten, that’s all you have to say to the Plymouth Argyle fans following a cracking 3-2 away victory at Oxford United.

Argyle had recorded a famous victory away at promotion contenders Oxford United.  The Pilgrims have only won at the Kassam Stadium twice in the past 17 visits.                                                                                                                Caolan Lavery, on loan from Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, had put the visitors ahead 25seconds into the second half following good work from Ben Purrington on the left.  Soon after ‘The Big Game’ hosts had equalized from an Asa Hall strike 25 yards from goal.  The last 15 minutes of the fixture still had plenty of action to come.  Referee Andy Davies awarded a penalty to the Pilgrims.  Versatile striker Dave Kitson was penalized for handling the ball inside the box.  Reuben Reid, now the fourth top scorer in the league put himself forward.  The on loan striker from Yeovil had powerfully slotted the ball home past goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, Reid had previously missed his last penalty against Chesterfield.  Soon after going 2-1 up in the game Reuben Reid had scored another and his 11^th goal of the season to put Argyle 3-1.  The Stadium was emptying very quickly until the home side pulled a consolation goal back. Neal Trotman had scored an own goal to make the last 5 minutes very nervy for the fans.  Fortunately John Sheridan and his players celebrated three points and the victory, winning 3-2.       

The Boxing Day fixture for AFC Wimbledon was less kind as they faced Southend United at The Cherry Reds Records Stadium.  Goalless at half-time George Francomb did however see red in the 41^st minute. Southend in the 76^th minute had scored from a Cauley Woodrow headed goal.  Cauley had only been on the pitch less than 15minutes before making an impact to the game.  Can Wimbledon take three important points when they entertain Plymouth Argyle on Sunday?   

On 26^th February 2013, season 2012-13, Argyle traveled to London in the Npower League 2 fixture against AFC Wimbledon.  All the goals came in the first half and in minutes of each other.  Jason Banton who was then on loan from Crystal Palace at the time had given the Pilgrims a 26^th minute lead.  The fans of the visitors didn't even finish celebrating before the Wombles had equalised.  Harry Pell had scored for Wimbledon two minutes after Jason Banton had given the greens the lead.  

Defender Jamie Reckord is doubtful for the trip to AFC Wimbledon due to illness.  The on-loan Wolverhampton Wanders left back missed the Boxing Day fixture away to Oxford United.  Durrell Berry is back in contention for the SkyBet League Two fixture following a one match suspension.  The former Aston Villa apprentice was booked for the fifth time this season in the 2-1 victory against Bury at Home Park.  Ben Purrington will be looking to have impressed manager John Sheridan at the Kassam Stadium to continue playing in the squad.  The 17 year old was making his Plymouth Argyle debut at left back.  AFC Wimbledon will be without many first team professionals due to injuries.  Long term absentee Charlie Strutton is suffering from a broken leg, whilst Alan Bennett and midfielder Harry Pell both have ankle and knee injuries.  The London side have been successful in appealing against George Francomb in the defeat to Southend United on Boxing Day.  

Available:- Jake Cole, Luke McCormick, Curtis Nelson, Maxime Blanchard, 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, Isaac Vassell, Caolan Lavery Tope Obadeyi

Doubtful: - Jamie Reckord

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

SkyBet League Two Oxford United vs Plymouth Argyle - Match Preview

Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, Plymouth Argyle will make the longest journey in the country as they travel to league leaders Oxford United.

Oxford United have a crowd of 10,000+ expected inside the Kassam Stadium this afternoon with the Green Army bringing over 1000 from Devon.  The U's have 'The Big Match' in League Two on Boxing day with them hosting many different events.  Two of them being a firework display and a display of 5000 yellow flags around the stadium to turn the stands yellow.

Chris Wilder has one of the most well known players in league two this season, Dave Kitson, the Hitchin born striker began his career with non league side Cambridge United. He then moved on to Reading.  The player is most well known for his footballing days at Stoke City in season 2008-2010.Dave Kitson had spells Portsmouth, Sheffield United and now Oxford United.

The Pilgrims were awarded with an early Christmas present on Christmas eve when John Sheridan announced a new signing.  Newcastle born Nathan Thomas, without a club for the majority of the calendar year, signed pen to paper on a deal that would take him to the end of the season.  19 year old Nathan has traveled nearly the full length of the country for first team football.  Formally of Sunderland, Nathan turned down many offers from Premiership and Championship clubs to join the Devon club.  The winger has been on trail at Plymouth for over a week and was meant to sign before the home game against Bury, but some course or another Sheridan was unable to sign the talented player.

In his first full season in professional football, Ben Purrington a youth team prospect, originally from Exeter, has been added to the 18 man squad for the first time this season for the trip to the U's.  Captain Conor Hourihane is back in contention after serving a one match suspension.  The Cork-born midfielder had picked up his fifth book-age offence in the 2-0 defeat to promotion contenders Chesterfield.  Tope Obadeyi is also back in the squad following a hamstring injury.  The on loan winger from Bury had been fit and ready to play last week but only the opposition could stop that.  Bury haven't given Tope permission to play against his parent club.  Oxford United boss Chris Wilder could name an unchanged side for the third success game.

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, Isaac Vassell, Caolan Lavery Tope Obadeyi

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

SkyBet League Two - Plymouth Argyle vs Bury - Match Preview

Sheffield Wednesday loanee Caolan Lavery will make his first start for Plymouth Argyle since arriving to the West country on 22nd November 2013.

Making four substitutes appearance so far, Caolan, has impressed Plymouth Argyle manager John Sheridan in these fixtures to make his first start for the Pilgrims.  

The SkyBet League Two table does not lie as Argyle sit in 16th place following two successive defeats, home to Burton Albion and away to Chesterfield following a great unbeaten run of results.  However Bury are situated in 19th position, three points separating both teams in the table.  Bury's last result was a 1-1 draw home to Northampton.

A league One team last year, Bury were relegated to League Two at the end of last season, with the team  also struggling very financially causing a transfer embargo to be put over the club.  Finally after the takeover in May, formerly manager, Kevin Blackwell made 23 signings at the start of the 2013-14 season.  Just 2 points from his last six games Blackwell was dismissed of his duties. David Flitcroft was named manager following Blackwell departure in October.  Before being named manager Ronnie Kepson was put in temporary charge, his last game came in the defeat to Cambridge United in the FA Cup.  Ten days prior to joining the Manchester based side, Flitcoft was dismissed by Barnsley who sit bottom of the SkyBet Championship. This week David Flitcroft has added to his backroom staff, Chris Brass has joined as assistant manager.  Chris was previously the assistant manager at near neighbors of Alan Knill at Torquay United.

Ever present captain, Conor Hourihane, will miss Saturday fixture, home to Bury  due to suspension.  The former Northern Ireland 21's International picked up his fifth bookable offence last Saturday in the 2-0 defeat to Chesterfield.  This means Conor will have to sit out and serve a one match suspension.  Another absentee for the Pilgrims tomorrow will be Tope Obadeyi who is on loan from Bury.  Although only recovered from the hamstring injury suffered in the Second Round of the FA Cup, the speedy winger can not play against his parent club due to agreements being made between themselves and Argyle. Newly announced Bury manager will be without midfielder Tom Soars due to a hamstring injury.  Also missing from the trip to Devon is Danny Hylton due to a groin injury.  The striker has returned to his parent club Rotherham United to receive treatment.  

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, Dominic Blizzard, Romuald Boco, Hamza Bencherif, Luke Young, Ryan Lane, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Reid, Isaac Vassell, Caolan Lavery

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Marvin Morgan (shoulder injury), Nick Chadwick (on loan to Tamworth until January 2014), Tope Obadeyi (on loan from Bury) Tyler Harvey (on loan to Salisbury City), Conor Hourihane (suspended)

Second Round FA Cup - Plymouth Argyle vs Welling United - Match Preview

Can Plymouth Argyle make it into the third round of the FA Cup in 11 years when the entertain 13th placed Conference Premier outfit Welling United at Home Park.

The last time Argyle made it to the third round of the FA Cup was in 2002 when Paul Sturrock was in charge.  Plymouth had beaten Bury 3-0 in the first round at Gigg Lane.  The second round was also an away fixture at Stockport.  the team had scored three goals on their travels to win 3-0.  A third round tie was in order at home to Dagenham & Redbridge.  The final result of the fixture was a 2-2 draw.  A replay was needed to find out who would progress onto the fourth round of the FA Cup.  Unfortunately that was the end of the Pilgrims cup run as the lost the corresponding fixture 2-0.  

Argyle have been knocked out of the first round of the cup for the past two seasons.  In season 2011-12 Stourbridge defeated the Devon club by successfully winning 2-0 in the reply following a 3-3 draw at Home Park.  Fans were very confident the season after as Argyle were drawn against yet another non league club in Dorchester.  Argyle, reduced to 10 men in the early stages of the game with Conor Hourihane serving a second yellow, were yet again defeated following a 1-0 defeat.  This season however Argyle have beaten a non league side in the first round.  Argyle were drawn away at Lincoln and drew 0-0 in the fixture.  The replay at Home Park saw Plymouth thrash the Conference side 5-0.

Welling United made up of part time players had their best spell in the FA Cup reaching the proper first round on six separate occasions knocking out football league club and rivals Gillingham in one year.   Based in Kent, United have also reached the third round of the cup but lost 1-0 to Blackburn in 1989.  This current season Welling have played in the FA Cup qualifying round to participate in the first round of the FA Cup.  The Conference South Champions of 2012-13 beat Brislington 1-0.  They then beat Luton Town 2-1 to now be in the second round.  

Jake Cole will make his sixth cup appearance this season at Home Park taking over the goalkeeping duties from Luke McCormick.  Jake Cole has started every cup game this season whilst Luke contributes to SkyBet League Two.  Also missing for Argyle are Caolan Lavery and Tope Obadeyi.  Northern Ireland 21 international is on loan to the Pilgrims from Sheffield Wednesday.  The League One club are not allowing Caolan to take any part in the resulting fixture.  Bury loanee Obadeyi will also be unavailable to manager John Sheridan through a hamstring injury.  Tope suffered the injury in the first half of the defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday.  Former Argyle trialist Kieron Hugh-Mason is unavailable for player-manager Jamie Day as he is on loan to Concord Rangers.  After making their debuts last week, Callum Webb, Sam Corne, Josh Ekim and Artisde Bassele could all start for Welling United at Home Park.  Fraser Franks comes back into the squad following serving a one match suspension last weekend.    

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, Romuald Boco, Hamza Bencherif, Luke Young, Ryan Lane, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Reid, Isaac Vassell, Paul Hayes.

Doubtful: - Dominic Blizzard (thigh injury)

Unavailable: - Matt LeCointe (knee injury), Marvin Morgan (shoulder injury), Nick Chadwick (on loan to Tamworth until January 2014), Caolan Lavery (cuptied), Tope Obadeyi (hamstring injury), Tyler Harvey (on loan to Salisbury City)