Wednesday, 12 August 2015

Gillingham (h) (Capital One Cup 1st Round) Match Report 11/08/2015

The second game of the season was the obligatory foray into the League Cup 1st Round and with it came a feeling of optimism not seen in recent years, buoyed no doubt by our win against the odds against Wimbledon on Saturday. The evening's opponents were Gillingham, who themselves have every reason to feel buoyant after their own 4-0 demolition of Sheffield United on opening day that sees them sit proudly atop of League One. A small band of Gills' supporters made the long trip on an Tuesday evening after opening day to see what they probably thought would be a routine win. As with everything in football though, it was not to pan out as planned!
 
                             
Today was a particularly special day for myself as it was my daughter's first Argyle game and she predicted a positive result for the Green Army in her own unique way. Unlike at Kingsmeadow on Saturday, the match started on a real positive note. Argyle were spreading the ball well and looking assured and confident in their approach, something no doubt Adams had sparked them into following Saturday's sluggish opening. Just as things were getting going Jervis pulled up with what looked like a potential groin strain, the look of frustration evident as he was replaced by Tanner on 10 minutes. This didn't dent the team's confidence however, and Tanner showed some lovely touches before playing in Gregg Wylde who used his pace before firing a scuffed effort that was saved by Gill's keeper Nelson. Further chances were created with the impressive Tanner and Boateng providing class from midfielder. McHugh should of scored from a Reid knockdown but could only slice his left footed volley wide with the goal at his mercy, and Reid himself was played in on the left hand side of the box only to find Nelson's midriff with a tame side footed effort. The Gill's did have a couple of moments, including a goal mouth scramble that in the end Curtis Nelson managed to clear, but despite us being on top and creating chances the boys went in at half time at 0-0.

The second half started more evenly, with no doubt Edinburgh changing things to stop us exploiting them down the left flank. McCormick spilt a right wing cross from McGlashan that fell to the irritable Bradley Dack who managed to put the ball wide of an open goal from the edge of the box much to the amusement of the Argyle support. McCormick had another flap at a cross which luckily didn't come to much, but definitely something to work on in training for the Dockyard Derby on Saturday. The game looked to be petering out towards extra time, when Pilgrim's MOM Craig Tanner opened the scoring brilliantly. Kelvin Mellor skipped past the challenge of the last defender before reaching the by-line and laying it back to the edge of the box where Tanner blasted the ball home on the half volley to send the home crowd wild. Could we finally be reaching the League Cup 2nd Round for just the 3rd time in 20 years?? Sadly the answer was to be no! After looking impressive and composed for the majority of the evening, a smash and grab from Gillingham proved to be our undoing. A mistake from the otherwise brilliant Tanner let in Dack who ran clear on goal from 30 yards before confidently dinking the ball over the oncoming McCormick to equalise with 5 minutes remaining. Barely had we recovered from the equaliser when a cross 2 minutes later caused chaos in the Argyle box and Jake Hessenthaler (son of former Gill's player and manager Andy) was their to nod in their winner with just 3 minutes left. This goal seemed to ignite us back up again and we did press for the equaliser forcing a number of corners towards the end, with Mellor being a whisker away from heading in a flicked on Carey cross in injury time. However once again we have missed out on a League Cup run. The feeling around the stadium was still positive as this could be a blessing in disguise with promotion the main objective. The performance was a great one considering Gillingham's 4-0 dismantling of the Blades just 3 days earlier and I for one, although disappointed, look forward to the clash with Pompey on Saturday!!!







Best Player - Craig Tanner

Attendance - 5120

Next Game - 15/08/15 Portsmouth (h) (League 2)






On a final note if you would like to be featured and would allow me to interview you and take a photo I would like to hear from you. Either PM on Facebook, or e-mail me at danstone84@hotmail.com. Thanks again and Keep it Green!!!

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