Stevenage (a) (League 2) Match Report 05/09/2015

After the excitement of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over AFC Wimbledon in midweek came the  second of three straight away trips, this time to the Lamex Stadium (Formerly Broadhall Way) the home of Stevenage. Argyle came into the game on the back of a great run of four straight wins, scoring ten goals and only conceding three. It's this sort of form that is filling every Green Army fanatic with hope and aspiration for the season ahead, and with it a feeling that this could finally be our year! Looking at the day's opponents and following Teddy Sheringham's pre season appointment, their start can best be described as indifferent. Draws with both Newport County and Dagenham and Redbridge and also defeats to league high flyers Leyton Orient and lowly Notts County. Their one victory at home this season did however come against Hartlepool United, who themselves had their own good run of three straight wins halted when they visited the Lamex Stadium. So maybe reason to be cautious coming into this game after all!

Derek Adams kept the same eleven that started in the victory at Wimbledon in midweek and after kick off the signs that we could maintain our solid run looked positive. Possession was kept well through the midfield of Hiram Boateng, Carl McHugh and Graham Carey. Jake Jervis and Gregg Wylde giving lots of width on the flanks and the ball being spread confidently across the pitch. However in an ironic twist, that often happens in football, and totally against the run of play Stevenage took an early lead on six minutes. A poor attempted tackle just outside the box from Kelvin Mellor was charged through by Boro's Tom Pett. He smartly laid the ball out wide to Stevenage's (Tottenham Hotspur loanee) Connor Ogilvie who closed in goal. As Peter Hartley came in to close down, Ogilvie took a shot with his left foot that took a slight deflection off the sliding Hartley and this took it above and beyond the diving Luke McCormick and into the net. 1-0 down and we had already set ourselves a mountain to climb. Again the response was a positive one. The early goal conceded and the vociferous Argyle support seemed to unite the team and we began to put pressure on the Stevenage defence. Carey found space in the box, but sliced a left foot volley over and wide when he should have been more composed. Boateng also hit a mistimed, scuffed shot that was easily collected by Boro keeper Chris Day. Just as it seemed we were getting a foothold in the game, yet again a defensive error let us down. A mistake from Mellor let in Chris Whelpdale to start an attacking move for Stevenage down the left,  that ended with a left wing cross from the by-line being cut back to the centre of the Argyle box for the unmarked Charlie Lee to inevitably tap in. He somehow managed to smash the ball over the crossbar and into the stands. The PAFC faithful all breathed a collective sigh of relief and hoped these warning signs would be acknowledged and not ignored. However the warning signs were not heeded and the relief was short-lived. Stevenage, who had been limited to sporadic counter attacks up until this point, managed to double their lead. Argyle had received plenty of warning and there really was no excuse. Another complete defensive howler, this time involving a trio of poor mistakes. Whelpdale picked the ball up on the right before firstly coasting past a poor attempted slide tackle from Gary Sawyer. It was then the turn of the usually reliable Curtis Nelson to make his mistake. He dallied on the ball and when he finally did make a move to strike the ball downfield it was too late. Whelpdale closed the ball down and it landed at the feet of Lee who picked the ball up on the right hand side of the Argyle box. Hartley made a poor attempt to challenge him and then at the by-line he dragged it back for Dean Parrett who slid in to send the ball towards the far post. Who was there but Whelpdale to slot home for 2-0. It was a real catalogue of errors and something that Adams will have to address as the season moves on. The rest of the half petered out, with much huffing an puffing from an Argyle side that seemed a bit shell shocked and devoid of ideas. During the half time interval it was refreshing to see the travelling fans in good voice despite the score line and after Tuesday's victory at Kingsmeadow a real feeling we could still turn it around.

Adams made the necessary changes at half time. Oscar Threlkeld came on for the ever disappointing Mellor and Craig Tanner came on for the unusually quiet Ryan Brunt. This meant a slight change of personnel positioning, with Jervis moving up front and Tanner going onto the right wing. The changes again seemed to have the desired effect and just seven minutes into the second half we were back in the game. Carey took on his marker on the left wing before sending a delightful cross to the far post which was met by a downward header from Tanner that hit Day and looped up into the corner of the net. 2-1 and Argyle seemed to get a new found energy. Shortly after Jervis cut inside from the left and hit what is becoming a trademark right foot effort from twenty yards that was well parried by Day. We were looking on top and felt that if we could get the equaliser, we could setup a repeat of the comeback heroics of our previous match. We thought we had that equaliser when a Carey corner from the left was met by a Jervis header and found the net. Green Army celebrations were cut short however when referee Gary Sutton blew for an alleged push. The players and fans weren't happy with the decision, particularly Jervis who made his feelings clear to the officials. It seemed a let off for Stevenage and the decision seemed to give them a second wind. Parrett found himself in space on the edge of the box and should of hit the target but put his effort wide of McCormick's post. Dean Wells and Parrett also created space constantly on both wings and Threlkeld looked nervous, forever just hoofing the ball aimlessly up field and putting us under further pressure. Sawyer was working hard, but was getting found out quite often and it was Hartley who was consistently coming to the recue of his wayward colleagues in defence. You could see the frustration clearly on his face as he berated both his defence and McCormick after a succession of poor kicks. A final five minutes saw a brief period of pressure from Argyle but in truth we were victims of our own downfall today. The match finished 2-1 on what was a frustrating afternoon for the men in Green and White stripes.

In analysis of today's match it is clear that we have a number of options in attack and solidity and flair in midfield. The central defensive partnership of Hartley and Nelson has worked well and today was hopefully just a bad day at the office. What is apparent is that Sawyer seems to struggle if other's around him aren't playing well. Also Mellor has been poor all season and Threlkeld looked very nervous at times. The wing backs look like the weak link in the side and where most of our problems are caused. The goals from our two league defeats this season have come from defensive errors down the flanks and I believe this is an area that will need strengthening at some point to maintain a promotion push. However, all things considered, we are in great hands. We have scored in every match we have played this season, are playing attacking attractive football and in all truth I hope this was just one of those games for us. Stevenage are not a great side and I'm confident we will beat them in the return fixture at Home Park in January. What has been the most motivating factor when writing match reports this season is the upbeat approach of the fans, even in abject defeat. That is why I, and I'm sure many Green Army supporters will be looking forward to next Saturday's trip to Adams Park to face last season's playoff conquerors Wycombe Wanderers in what promises to be a mouth watering top of the table encounter. I say bring them on!

Best Player - Hiram Boateng

Attendance - 3533 (854 Argyle)

Next Game - 12/09/2015 Wycombe Wanderers (a) (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 danstone84@hotmail.com or alternatively get in touch through social media. Either on Twitter @danstone84 or on one of the Facebook forums tagging me in Dan Stone. My match reports are also featured on www.argyle.life where I am a part of a team of feature writers. Please come and visit and support the site and writers. It's a great site with a broad range of opinions and views.

Today's fan is 40 year old Kamaro Camara from Banjul, Gambia.

How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'Since the 2004-05 season'

What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'Winning the league and being promoted'

Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'Crewe Alexandra 1 Plymouth Argyle 2 from 2005-06 season. Plymouth moved away from the relegation pack'

Best all time Argyle player? 'Paul Wotton (Wottsy) Captain Fantastic!'

Best current Argyle player? 'Graham Carey'

General feeling around Derek Adams' appointment? 'A very good signing who can take us where we want to be. Good luck coach!'

Season Prediction? 'We will finish second in League 2'

Prediction for our next match away to Wycombe Wanderers? 'Plymouth will win 2-1. We will respect their style of football and force them to play our system on the field'