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