Argyle arrived back at Home Park on the back of a run of two draws against Bristol Rovers and Mansfield Town respectively. This had been the first time this season that the Green Army had gone more than one match without picking up the three points. Given that fact and the performances in those matches, there certainly was an argument that two points could in fact have been six from these two fixtures. A last minute penalty conceded against the Pirates at Home Park was then followed by an inspired performance by Stags keeper Brian Jensen last Saturday. With this optimistic approach, the good news was that on paper we were going into two very winnable fixtures at home to both Barnet and then followed by Crawley on Saturday. Both these opponents have struggled since the season began in August and it was felt that these matches would be a solid barometer of the Green Army's promotion credentials. Focussing on today's game and the Bees came into the game with a 100% loss ratio in their games away from the Hive this season. Like I mentioned previously on paper this was a very winnable game. The one concern for Derek Adams however would be Barnet's burly frontman John Akinde who boasted 33 goals in just 47 Bees appearances coming into the match! Looking at Argyle and after the somewhat failed attempt at the 4-4-2 starting line up at Mansfield on Saturday, Argyle were back to Adams' tried and successfully attempted 4-2-2-1-1 approach. Gregg Wylde returned in place for Ryan Brunt. This meant that Graham Carey could slot back into his preferred position just behind Reuben Reid and command the centre of the pitch more adeptly. The only other notable feature being Josh Simpson continue in midfield alongside Hiram Boateng whilst Carl McHugh recovers from his hamstring injury.
So onto the match and the first half kicked off with the Green Army expectant for a good performance and three points in the bag. Argyle started well and it was Simpson who got off an early strike after shimmying past Bees centre back Michael Nelson and unleashing a solid effort that Barnet keeper Max Crocombe did well to gather. Soon after and Jake Jervis created space on the right hand side of the box before slicing his effort wide. Barnet were looking dangerous on the break with the pacey Andy Yiadom on the right and Luke Gambin on the left causing problems for Gary Sawyer and Kelvin Mellor respectively. It was Gambin, who after a quick one two with Aaron McLean fell under a Curtis Nelson challenge. Hearts were in Argyle mouths but the referee noticed the dive and Gambin was booked despite his protestations. The match was ebbing and flowing with the Green Army keeping good possession but showing sloppiness of first touch and failing to find the quality needed to break down a resolute Barnet defence. The Bees were beginning to get confidence by using their pace to exploit the gaps left in the Argyle defence. It was from one of these counter attacks that their opening goal came. A great burst on the left side of the box from Curtis Weston took him to the by-line. He cut the ball back at the final moment and McLean was on hand to blast the ball past Luke McCormick and high into the roof of the net. The small band of Bee's supporters who made the journey from North London more than happy with that outcome. It was no more than both Barnet and also Argyle deserved. The Bees had played well and to their strengths, dominating the flanks and using pace and precision and the Green Army had looked laboured and lethargic. The goal didn't seem to spark us into life and the first half came to an end with a feeling our run without a win would extend to three games for the first time this season.
The lads came out for the second half still not fully awake from their laborious first half performance. Just seven minutes into the half and it was to be the moment that changed the game. Akinde found himself through on goal. He slotted the ball past McCormick but the ball pinged back off the inside of the right post and into the path of Mauro Vilhete. He then tucked inside before firing in a shot that again beat McCormick but this time Nelson was there to clear off the line. A let off that proved to be instrumental. Just one minute later the hard working Carey burst through the middle, playing a lovely one two with Reid before hitting a sublime first time effort with his left foot from the edge of the box and into the top corner leaving Crocombe grasping at thin air. How quickly a football match can change and in what had been a very poor performance up until that point had again been changed by Carey's quality. The equaliser seemed to open the game up as up to this point Barnet had been delaying and sitting back since they took the lead in the first half. This gave Wylde the opportunity to use his pace down the left flank and a left footed effort that flashed just wide was a precursor of what was to come just a minute later. Wylde left Sam Togwell in his wake and sent a skimming left footed drive across the box. The ball was misjudged by Bees centre back Nelson and when left back Elliot Johnson dallied it was Jervis who nipped in front of him and sent the ball into the bottom corner with a sliding effort. Somehow despite performing badly Argyle had turned it around and it was 2-1! The poor performance and lack of concentration was to continue however and rather than see the game out Argyle seemed to invite constant pressure. Oscar Threlkeld and Craig Tanner came on for Reid and Carey respectively with twenty minutes remaining and Brunt replaced Jervis for the final ten minutes. The game was far from over however and Barnet kept pressing for an equaliser. It almost came in the 94th minute. Vilhete hit an effort that took a slight deflection and looped up agonisingly before hitting where the right post and crossbar meet. The ball came out and a scramble ensued before Togwell smashed the ball wide. A huge let off, referee Simon Hooper blew the full time whistle and somehow Argyle had managed to win the match 2-1!
In analysis of this match it safe to say that the Green Army more than got away with it here. Barnet fully merited a point and you would be hard pressed to find a neutral that didn't agree. The defensive flaws were at their most apparent in today's game and with it also the impression that the system still doesn't seem to fully accommodate Reid. Also the loss of McHugh seemed to make for a nervousness in possession across the midfield. That being said, Argyle did manage to get the three points in adverse circumstances. Improved performances will be needed, starting with the match against Crawley on Saturday, but winning ugly is always a good trait to have, especially in League 2!
Best Player - Graham Carey
Attendance - 6115
Next Game - 03/10/2015 Crawley (h) (League 2)
As always each match report is featured with our Match Day fan feature, which is a short Q and A about Argyle related fodder and something I hope to do for every match day. If you would like to be featured please feel free to email me at
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Today's fan is 30 year old Chris Whyte from Plymouth
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'I've been an Argyle fan for 19 years'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'My earliest memory was when we went to Wembley in 1996 in the Playoff final'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'Was when we beat QPR at home. I think the score was 2-1 and we got promoted'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Tommy Tynan'
Best current Argyle player? 'Luke McCormick'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'Very impressed. I think there is even better to come!'
Season Prediction? 'Automatic promotion'
Prediction for our next match at home to Crawley? 'I think we'll win 2-0. Crawley have had a bad start to the season so far and with the trip down here they will be struggling'
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