Sky Bet League 2 Plymouth Argyle vs Southend United - Match Preview

Plymouth Argyle are unbeaten at home this season in the league as they welcome Phil Brown’s Southend United on Saturday with Chris ‘Woody’ Wood from Bastille watching on.

The last time Argyle and Southend met was January of last year, the game finishing in a 1-1 draw.  Dominic Blizzard gave the Pilgrims the lead just after the hour mark through a deflected shot from outside the penalty area.  Argyle’s lead didn’t last long as Southend equalised through Kevan Hurst two minutes after. 

There will be a few familiar faces to the Green Army on Saturday as Phil Brown’s men visit.  Former Ivybridge Community College student Ryan Leonard will be leading his squad out, come kick-off against his boyhood club.  The Plymouth-born signed for Argyle aged 9 as a schoolboy.  Leonard spent 11 years with the Devon club before joining the Essex club in 2011.

Will Atkinson is another former Pilgrim who is most likely to be lining up alongside his former team mates. 

The midfielder was part of Peter Reid’s team in the 2011-12 season. Then on loan from Hull City, Atkinson made 22 appearances scoring 4 goals in all competitions.

The final ex Pilgrims is Conor Clifford who joined on an initial one month loan deal.  Then his parent club and Argyle had agreed an extension to his loan but the football league declined it due to the Pilgrims finical problem then. 

The midfielder who signed for Southend in 2013 made 7 appearances for the greens.      

A name which will ring fondly in the ears of the Green Army is Graham Coughlan.  Playing a key role in the Pilgrims promotional season under Paul Sturrock in 2001-2002, Graham spent four rememberable seasons in Devon.  During his first year Coughlan was named in PFA’s Division Three team of the year for the 2001-2002 season.

Making 177 appearances for the South West side, Coughlan is now the first team coach of the Seasiders, having previously been the assistant manager under former manager Paul Sturrock. The central defender retired from professional football in 2013 having took on the role in 2013 under Sturrock.

John Sheridan’s only absentee this weekend is 19 year old Matt LeCointe who has aggravated his knee injury that he suffered during last season’s pre-season fixture against Truro City.      

The news which fans didn’t want to hear was made after Matt had visited a second specialist this week. 

Jack Payne, David Worrell and Gary Deegan could all return for the Shrimpers as they visit Home Park on Saturday. 

Available: Luke McCormick, James Bittner, Kelvin Mellor, Ben Purrington, Curtis Nelson (captain), Peter Hartley, Anthony O’Connor, Aaron Bentley, Carl McHugh, Paul Wotton, Nathan Thomas, Deane Smalley, Jason Banton, Ollie Norburn, Lee Cox, Lewis Alessandra, Dominic Blizzard, River Allen, Tyler Harvey, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan

Unavailable: Jamie Richards – on loan to Linfield FC, Matt LeCointe (knee injury)

Sky Bet League 2 Bury vs Plymouth Argyle - Match Preview

LUCKY to get the point says manager John Sheridan after Tuesday dramatic finish to the game against Stevenage at Home Park.

Argyle now travel the length of the country for their Bank Holiday fixture against Bury in Sky Bet League 2. 

On Saturday the two teams will meet for the 70th time with the first fixture being played at Bury’s Gigg Lane in the 1930/31 season on September 6th in the Second Division.  

The result was a 2-0 win for the home side managed then by Arthur Paine.  Bury did the double over the Pilgrims that season, the reserve fixture played at Home Park ended in a 6-3 victory for the visitors on 3rd January 1931.   

The Manchester side just have the edge over the Greens winning 27 compared to Argyle 26 wins over ‘The Shakers’.  During this time the side have drawn 16 of the 69 games that have been encountered between the sides. 

Argyles last visit to Gigg Lane unfortunately ended in defeat for the Pilgrims in April of this year in the previous season, season 2013-14.  The home side took an early lead through Andrew Tutte and that was soon doubled just after the break, Daniel Nardiello kicking from the penalty spot after Curtis Nelson had brought the striker down.

The former Grecian then doubled his tally, in the game, netting past Jake Cole to make it 3-0 in the 53rd minute.  Danny Rose put the game to bed, minutes from time slotting past former Argyle goalkeeper Cole, into the far corner.     

Following the close season only eight first team players including the substitutes that took part in the fixture remain with the Devon club today. 

Curtis Nelson, Ben Purrington, Dominic Blizzard, Nathan Thomas, Jason Banton, Lewis Alessandra, Reuben Reid and Tyler Harvey were all included in the fixture in Greater Manchester.

John Sheridan has a fully fit squad for the trip to Bury on Saturday.  Nathan Thomas and Ollie Norburn have both recovered from illness to travel after missing Tuesday’s game at Home Park against Stevenage.

Bury manager David Flitcroft will be hoping Daniel Nardiello is fit, the 31 year old was only an un-used substitute in their 1-1 draw with Luton on Tuesday due to a groin injury.  Craig Jones is also doubtful for the match through a back injury. 

Available: Luke McCormick, James Bittner, Kelvin Mellor, Ben Purrington, Curtis Nelson (captain), Peter Hartley, Anthony O’Connor, Aaron Bentley, Carl McHugh, Paul Wotton, Nathan Thomas, Deane Smalley, Jason Banton, Ollie Norburn, Lee Cox, Lewis Alessandra, Dominic Blizzard, River Allen, Tyler Harvey, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Matt LeCointe

Unavailable: Jamie Richards – on loan to Linfield FC

Sky Bet League 2 Plymouth Argyle vs Stevenage Borough - Match Preview

‘THE coolest goal I’ve scored’ says Plymouthian and goal scorer Tyler Harvey, talking after the win against Devon Derby Rivals Exeter City on Saturday.

Everyone has enjoyed and relished the win on Saturday and now we focus on Tuesday nights game.     

Argyle will return to Home Park to play Stevenage Borough for the very first time in their history in Sky Bet League 2.

Stevenage who have only been in League Football for five season were first promotion to League 2 for the 2010-11 season after being named Conference Champions the season before.  The Boro were only in the fourth tier of English Football for a season before being promoted to League 1 via the play-offs.

Stevenage won against Torquay United, John Mousinho scored the only goal in the game which was played at Old Trafford.  

Former Captain and Pilgrim Simon Walton, who went without pay for several months when Argyle were in administration, will make his first appearance at Home Park after leaving for Hartlepool over 2 years ago.

The midfielder joined up with the Hertfordshire side at the beginning of the season following the expiry of his contract with the Pools spending 2 seasons with the club. 

Argyle will be looking to continue their good form on Tuesday following the excellent victory over Exeter City in the Devon Derby.  Tyler Harvey put the greens ahead before Reuben Reid gave the Pilgrims a 2 goal lead going into the break.  Newly named captain Curtis Nelson scored the third goal in front of the Devonport and finished the game off.

Graham Westley however will be looking for a quick response from his players as they were on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Southend at Roots Hall last Saturday.  First half goals from Myles Weston and Ben Coker were on the score sheet for the Shrimpers.

John Sheridan has a fully fit squad following Lee Cox not being included in the match day squad in the 3-0 victory over Exeter City last Saturday.  The Pilgrims boss is likely to name an unchanged squad for the visit of Stevenage. 

Stevenage manager Graham Westley will be without Chris Beardsley, Ronnie Henry, former Pilgrim loanee Dean Parrett and Calvin Zola through knee, anterior cruciate ligament and hamstring injuries respectively.    

Available: Luke McCormick, James Bittner, Kelvin Mellor, Ben Purrington, Curtis Nelson (captain), Peter Hartley, Anthony O’Connor, Aaron Bentley, Carl McHugh, Paul Wotton, Nathan Thomas, Deane Smalley, Jason Banton, Ollie Norburn, Lee Cox, Lewis Alessandra, Dominic Blizzard, River Allen, Tyler Harvey, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Matt LeCointe

Unavailable: Jamie Richards – on loan to Linfield FC

Sky Bet League 2 - Plymouth Argyle vs Exeter City - Match Preview

‘WE have to win’ insists Pilgrim’s 21 goal scorer last season Reuben Reid as Argyle line-up against Devon Derby Rivals Exeter City at Home Park.

Argyle will return to Home Park for the second time in a matter of days in Sky Bet League 2.  The Pilgrims have played over 120 minutes of football against Leyton Orient on Tuesday evening in the first round of the Capital One Cup.  Orient now travel to Aston Villa after a 6-5 win on penalties.  

City are also out of the cup following a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at St James’.  An unfortunate own goal by Scott Bennett gave the Cherries the lead before former Pilgrim himself Dan Gosling doubled the lead.    

The Greens and City both had disappointing starts to the League 2 season last weekend against Cambridge and Portsmouth respectively.  Argyle lost 1-0 to United the goal coming from a Josh Coulson header at the Abbey Stadium just past the hour mark.

Exeter City drew 1-1 at St James Park against Pompey.  Tom Nicholas had put the home side in front in the first half before Jed Wallace equalised in the second half for the visiting side.     

Friday before the big game Exeter City have had their transfer embargo lifted after paying back the loan to the Professional Footballs Association which they borrowed to help with running cost. 

This has meant that City have been unable to sign any players during the summer. Today Irish striker Graham Cummins on a 12 month deal, Cummins has been training with the club following his release from Sky Bet League 1 side Preston North End at the end of last season.     

Following the events of last season when Exeter did the double over Argyle, the Pilgrim players will be hoping at a much better outcome. 

The last fixture between the Rivals was played at Home Park on Tuesday 25th March 2014. More than 13,000 packed Home Park to watch Argyle lead through a Reuben Reid penalty in extra time of the first half.

The excitement didn’t last long as Exeter scored twice in the second half.  Liam Sercombe had equalised before Eliot Richards won it for the Grecians seven minutes from full time.       

There are no injury concerns for Sheridan as he prepares his squad for the visit of Exeter City on Saturday.  Sheridan is unlikely to make any changes to the squad that lined-up against Leyton Orient.  Graham Cummins having signed on the Friday is certain to make his debut in one of the biggest games for each club having trained with the club for some time.       

 Available: Luke McCormick, James Bittner, Kelvin Mellor, Ben Purrington, Curtis Nelson (captain), Peter Hartley, Anthony O’Connor, Aaron Bentley, Carl McHugh, Paul Wotton, Nathan Thomas, Deane Smalley, Jason Banton, Ollie Norburn, Lee Cox, Lewis Alessandra, Dominic Blizzard, River Allen, Tyler Harvey, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Matt LeCointe

Unavailable: Jamie Richards – on loan to Linfield FC

 

Sky Bet League 2 - Cambridge United vs Plymouth Argyle - Match Preview

ARGYLE will return to Sky Bet League 2 action this Saturday away to Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium for the start of the season. 

Argyle have had a lot of changes in and around the club players arriving and departing Plymouth.  One noticeable change to the squad is former captain Conor Hourihane joining Sky Bet League 1 side Barnsley for a reported fee of £200,000.  Central defender Curtis Nelson was named the Irishman’s successor for the season ahead.    

Both sets of teams have had very promising pre-season games in the past weeks.  Argyle travelled the short distance for their first pre-season fixture against Tavistock a couple of weeks back.  With five different scorers on the night Argyle hadn’t dreamt of a better start of their campaign winning 5-1.

 

There was one game which everyone was looking forward to and that was Premier League outfit Swansea City visiting Home Park.  In front of more than 5,000 fans Swansea were too good for the Pilgrims winning 4-0. 

The latest game came from Weston-Super-Mare which saw the Pilgrims win 2-1 last Saturday to end the pre-season on a high.         

Cambridge started of their busy schedule brightly winning 3-0 away to Biggleswade Town.  There last pre-season fixture was a 3-0 away win over Sutton United last Saturday.

The Pilgrims last visited the Abbey Stadium 15 years ago in 1998 in Nationwide League Division Three.  Included in the Argyle squad that day was long serving legend Paul Wotton.  With the Pilgrims down to 10 men, Mauge the man sent off Argyle lost 1-0, the only goal coming from John Taylor in the closing stages of the first half.      

Argyle’s last victory over United was 18 years ago when the Pilgrims won 3-2 at the Abbey Stadium also in League Division Three in 1996. Chris Billy, Richard Logan, Ian Baird were the scorers for the Pilgrims.

Cambridge will play in League 2 for the first time since 2005 when they were relegated after 35 years in the league.  The U’s managed by Richard Money were promoted after a 9 year absence beating Gateshead 2-1 in the Conference Play-Off Final which was held at Wembley.   

John Sheridan will have a fully fit squad when they travel to Cambridge on Saturday.  Dominic Blizzard and Deane Smalley have recovered from thigh injuries respectively.  Blizzard has not taken part in any of the pre-season fixtures as he suffered the injury.

Deane Smalley, who joined the Pilgrims from Oxford in the summer has only taken part in some of the warm-up matches due to a similar injury to Blizzard. 

Available: Luke McCormick, James Bittner, Kelvin Mellor, Ben Purrington, Curtis Nelson (captain), Peter Hartley, Anthony O’Connor, Aaron Bentley, Carl McHugh, Paul Wotton, Nathan Thomas, Deane Smalley, Jason Banton, Ollie Norburn, Lee Cox, Lewis Alessandra, Dominic Blizzard, River Allen, Tyler Harvey, Reuben Reid, Marvin Morgan, Matt LeCointe

Unavailable: Jamie Richards – on loan to Linfield FC