Sky Bet League 2 AFC Wimbledon vs Plymouth Argyle - Match Preview

Argyle along with more than 800 members of the Green Army will travel to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday making their fourth ever trip to the Kings Meadow Stadium.

Argyle made their first ever trip to the stadium in the 2011-12 season on 6th March 2012 in their 2-1 win.  Former Pilgrim Onismor Bhasera scored the fastest ever away goal in the clubs history to give the Greens the lead. 

Jack Midson levelled for the Dons as the teams went into the half time break all square.  Nick Chadwick scored the winning goal for the Green Army as he slotted the ball home just after the half time break. 

The last time the Pilgrims made the trip to London was in December of last year.  Michael Smith gave the Wombles the lead just after the break.  Reuben Reid equalised for John’s men with two minutes of the game remaining. 

Following Argyle’s fourth straight win in League and Cup competitions, John Sheridan will be eager for a fifth, for the first time in eight seasons. 

That time, under manager Ian Holloway Argyle achieved victories over Leicester, Luton, Southend, Preston and Hull in the latter stages of the season.

Lewis Alessandra scored the winning goal in the 15th minute as the Pilgrims secured their seven clean sheet of the season at Home Park as Carlisle made the longest journey in League 2 to Plymouth. 

With that record under their belts Argyle top the best defensive record in Sky Bet League 2.  As well as this record the players have kept the most clean sheets out of the Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 with Notts County in second keeping six clean sheets.

Wimbledon will be looking to getting back to winning ways after their 2-0 away defeat to League Leaders Wycombe Wanders on Saturday.  Josh Scowen opened the scoring before Sam Wood doubled the home teams lead. 

John Sheridan has no injury worries for the trip to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday evening.  Matt LeCointe and Ben Purrington remain long term absentees with knee and wrist injuries. 

On loan Gillingham Defender Adam Barrett will play against his former side who gave him his debut in professional football at the age of 19.  Whilst Adam was at Home Park he made 52 appearences scoring 3 goals between 1999 and 2000.

Midfielder Dannie Bulman is expected to start tomorrow night for the Dons, the veteran has returned from suspension. 

Tom Beere is also likely to participate in the fixture following his recovery from a hamstring injury. 

 

 

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

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

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

Can Argyle make it a fourth straight in all competitions, the last time the Pilgrims succeeded in this was six years ago. 

This was in the 2006-2007 season when the Greens playing in the Championship, managed under Paul Sturrock recorded victories over Norwich, Peterborough, Coventry and Barnet respectively. 

In that same season the players also recorded five straight wins over Leicester, Luton, Southend, Preston and Hull at the end of the campaign. 

Argyle will welcome Carlisle United to Home Park, making the longest journey in the Football League, 389miles each way in fact.  

The last time the team met at Home Park was in the 2010-11 season where they were both participating in Npower League One.  Ian Harte now playing for AFC Bournemouth put the visitors ahead on the 68th minutes before Rory Patterson equalised in the 94th minute for the Pilgrims. 

Argyle’s last victory over the Cambrians was in their promotional 2001-2002 season overseen by manager Paul Sturrock.  Micky Evans gave the home side the lead in the first half before Jason Bent and Martin Phillips secured 3 points for the Home Park faithful on 24th November 2001. 

As well as Argyle looking for their fourth consecutive victory Carlisle will be doing the exactly the same. 

Following the departure of Graham Kavanagh on the 1st September after a winless start to the season, Keith Curle was named his successor on 16th of that month. 

His first game in charge ended in a 3-2 away defeat to Mansfield.  Their first win under the 50 year old came in the 1-0 home win against Tranmere, there second away to close neighbors Hartlepool and there third came in the 3-0 win at Brunton Park against Stevenage.     

Andy Kellett could make his debut at Home Park when Carlisle visit on Saturday, the left back has been signed on a one month loans deal from Championship side Bolton Wanders on the Friday. 

Nathan Thomas is back in contention after he resumed training earlier this week.  The striker had not participated in training or had not travelled to Tranmere last week due to suffering an asthma attack in the win over Swindon Town in the Johnstone Paint Trophy.

Carlisle United will be without Danny Grainger, the defender will be missing through suspension as he has picked up five yellow cards already this season. 

United will welcome back Adam Sweeney as he has recovered from a shoulder injury.

The Cambrians have also extended the loan deal of Hayden White and have brought in Bulgarian striker Georg Iliev on loan.  The players both aged 19 join United from Bolton Wanders. 

 

 

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

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

Sky Bet League 2 Tranmere Rovers vs Plymouth Argyle - Match Preview

Can Argyle make it a hat trick of wins when they travel to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday?

The Pilgrims have won twice already this week at home to Shrewsbury in Sky Bet League 2 and in the Johnstone Paint Trophy against Swindon on Tuesday respectively.   

John Sheridan and his players will travel to Prenton Park looking for their first win in 39 years.  Players let along fans wouldn’t have even been born in 1975 to witness the victory on Merseyside Ground. 

The Pilgrims won the game 3-1 with the goals coming from Mike Green, Brian Johnson and Billy Rafferty.     

Argyle will desperately want to win on the road, only 3 points have been picked up from a possible of 15 points.

The last and only victory on the road came away to Luton on September 6th with Dominic Blizzard scoring the only goal. 

Rover’s home record hasn’t been the best this season either.  Apart from winning on penalties at home to Carlisle in the Cup on Tuesday Tranmere haven’t won in front of their own fans since the end of August when they won 2-1 against Morecambe.     

The last time the teams met was in the 2010-2011 season on the 12th February at Home Park in which the visiting side won 3-1.

Lateef Elford-Alliyu his first two goals for Rovers before former Pilgrim Enoch Showunmi scored the third.  Joe Mason scored the consolation for the Pilgrims in added time of full time. 

In the same season Argyle had lost 1-0 earlier on in the campaign.  Dale Jennings scored the only goal in the game.  In that same season, the striker joined German top flight club Bayern Munich and would later play for Bayern Munich II.     

Nathan Thomas will be unavailable for the fixture in Liverpool, the attacking midfielder suffered an asthmas attack on Tuesday and has been to see a specialist on the situatioFen.

Bobby Reid is back in contention, the on loan Bristol City player missed Tuesday’s game due to City not allowing him to play.      

Ben Purrington and Matt LeCointe remain long term absentees due to wrist and knee injuries. 

Tranmere manager Rob Edwards will leave it late to decide on Janoi Donacien and Abdulai Bell-Baggie who are struggling with back and thigh injuries. Cole Stockton, Danny Woodards, Matt Hill and Liam Ridehalgh will all miss the fixture. 

Second choice goalkeeper Peter Brezovan will continue in goal as Owain Fon Williams is away on international duty with Wales.

Signed on the Friday, George Barker, has been contracted to Tranmere Rovers on a one month loan deal from Swindon Town. 

If the player is in the side on the day of the fixture it would be the second time he has faced the Pilgrims in a matter of days.  The player was a half time substitute for Swindon in their 3-2 defeat in the Johnstone Paint Trophy at Home Park on Tuesday. 

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

Unavailable: Jamie Richards – on loan to Linfield FC, Ben Purrington (broken wrist), Nathan Thomas (asthma attack), Matt LeCointe (knee injury)

Johnstone Paint Trophy 2nd Round - Plymouth Argyle vs Swindon Town - Match Preview

Can Argyle dream of a cup run in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and a first Wembley appearence since 1996?

They certainly can as they host Swindon Town in the second round of the competition.   

The Pilgrims were given a bye in the first round as Swindon had to see off Newport County 2-1 at Rodney Parade. 

Jonathan Obika broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time to put the visiting side ahead.   Andy Williams double the lead on the hour mark before Yan Klukowski scored a consolation goal for the home team.

Just a day short to a year ago in the same competition, Swindon welcomed Argyle to the County Ground in the second round.  Former Pilgrim left back Andre Blackman put the Greens ahead on six minutes. 

Jack Barthram equalised for the Town on the 20th minute. Just after half time Nick Ajose was on target for the home side as he won them the game to send them through to the third round.

In the Robins side that day was current Greens midfielder Lee Cox who joined Argyle permanently in the summer signing a 2-year deal having been a free agent.  He had previously enjoyed a loan spell in 2013 that had to be cut short due to a shoulder injury.   

A former Pilgrim will also be welcomed back to Home Park this evening.  Part of the youth development at Argyle, Jack Stephens a past pupil at Torpoint Community School, will return for the first time. 

Jack made his debut at the age of 16 under Peter Reid, coming on as a late substitute in the 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.   

Due to Argyle’s financial situation at the time, Stephens was sold to then Championship side Southampton for a fee to be worth around £150,000 signing a three year contract.   

The defender is in his second loan spell at the County Ground joining in September, signing until 1st January 2015. 

John Sheridan this evening will be without on loan Bristol City midfielder Bobby Reid, the 21 year old has not been allowed to participate in the competition by his Parent Club. 

Sheridan has made no secret about the starting line-up and has spoken of changing up to five players.  Ollie Norburn, Tyler Harvey and Lee Cox are some of the players that could be recalled to the side.  The manager will also welcome back Jason Banton who has been out of the side through a groin injury.  

Reuben Reid will tonight start the game on the bench, although starting the scoring the winning goal on Saturday, Reid has hardy trained as he is still carrying a knock. 

Swindon will be without Jon Obika as he starts his recovery progress from a shoulder injury. 

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

Unavailable: Jamie Richards – on loan to Linfield FC, Ben Purrington (broken wrist), Bobby Reid (on loan from Bristol City)

Sky Bet League 2 Plymouth Argyle vs Shrewsbury Town - Match Preview

John Sheridan and his players will return to the Home Park for this afternoon’s game against Shrewsbury Town in a 3pm kick off.

Argyle will be hoping to get back to winning ways after the defeat away at Accrington Stanley last Saturday.

Reuben Reid and Peter Hartley were both unavailable for the game due to injury, as the Pilgrims lost 1-0 with the only goal coming from Kal Naismith in the first half.

Shrewsbury’s will be looking to end their four consecutive away defeats as they travel to Plymouth.  The side have not scored away from home in more than six and a half hours.  There last game away from New Meadow was on the 26th August against Leicester in the League Cup.

There last defeat came away to Southend as Shaq Coulthirst on loan from Tottenham scored in the second minute of the fixture.    

Marvin Morgan will come up against his former club and team mates for the first time, having been released by the Salop at the end of the 2012-13 season.

Morgan joined the Shrews in 2011 having been one of seven players to been released by Aldershot the summer before.      

He made his debut against the Pilgrims at the New Meadow in the 1-1 draw in 2011.  Former manager and player Carl Fletcher scored an equalising stunning goal after James Collins had equalised for the home side.

Shrewsbury’s last visit to Home Park was in the same season, 2011-12 season, Paul Wotton scored the only game in the first half, which also saw Marvin Morgan play for the visiting side.       

John Sheridan will welcome back Centre Back Peter Hartley and striker Reuben Reid for the visit of Shrewsbury Town after missing last Saturday’s game at Accrington Stanley.

Ben Purrington is absent for selection for the game today, the defender unfortunately broken his wrist in the closing stages of the Stanley game and it is still undecided if he requires an operation.

Joining on loan from Bristol City on a month loan deal, Bobby Reid could make his home debut at Home Park. Reid played the full 90 minutes in the defeat to Accrington last week.

Micky Mellon, Shrewsbury’s manager will be without Andy Morgan.  The striker is serving a one match ban after being shown a red card, two yellow cards, in the 1-0 defeat to Southend United.    

Andy Robinson is doubtful for the visiting side due to an knee injury. 

     

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

Unavailable: Jamie Richards – on loan to Linfield FC, Jason Banton (groin injury), Ben Purrington (broken wrist)