So it arrived, the match we had all been waiting for. After the heartache of a limp defeat in last season's Playoff Semi Final came our chance for redemption. In the build up to the match, there was much talk from the fans about a revenge for that defeat alongside a feeling of this being the real acid test as to what our potential credentials were this season. After playing six games apiece, the Chairboys and the Pilgrims sat second and third respectively in the League 2 standings. The league is beginning to take it's first form of how perhaps each team will fare this season. With that in Argyle minds came the opportunity to test ourselves against a side that not only reached the playoffs last season, but also one which were very much in the race for promotion again.
Wycombe of course have in their ranks two former Argyle players in the shape of burly forward Gozie Ugwu, making his Wanderers debut against the Pilgrims, and the erratic winger Jason Banton. Speaking to Chairboys fans before kick off, they had been very happy with Banton's early performances and were looking forward to seeing Ugwu who was making his debut for the club. Argyle on the other hand had one major change with the return of Reuben Reid in place of the industrious Ryan Brunt in the familiar 4-2-2-1 formation that has been used throughout the start of the campaign. There was speculation prior to kick off as to whether Reid would regain his starting place, after Brunt's impressive efforts, but Derek Adams showed his faith in the striker who was almost poached by Portsmouth on deadline day.
The match started well for us and there was an energy and precision that has been lacking at the start of previous matches this season. No doubt spurred on by the Argyle faithful it wasn't long before we took the lead. With just six minutes on the clock a corner was won on the left hand side. Graham Carey took responsibility and whipped a lovely ball in with that trademark left foot that found an unmarked Peter Hartley at the near post. He flashed a header across the six yard box and who was it by Reid who stooped to finish with a right footed poke at the far post. It was a great moment for both Reid and the fans, to see him score his second goal of the season after his injury lay off. The goal seemed to ignite us into further action, with Jake Jervis finding space down the right wing on a couple of occasions and delivering good crosses into the box. A Gary Sawyer throw in from the left was cleverly knocked back by Reid into the path of the onrushing Gregg Wylde who fired his first time effort well high of the crossbar. Just as it seemed we were getting control of the game, another poor piece of defending let Wycombe in for their equaliser. A corner from the left by Joe Jacobson was only partially cleared to the edge of the box. Sido Jombati headed the ball back with interest and a poor attempted clearance from Reid landed at the feet of who else but Banton who fired into the roof of the net to make it 1-1. The goal again changed the pattern of play and it was now the turn of the Chairboys to dominate possession. Marcus Bean was influential in the middle of the park, using his strength and technique to dictate the play. Jombati seemed to have Wylde in his pocket and was linking well down the right hand side with Banton. It was Banton who had another chance, but hit his effort high, wide and handsome from the edge of the box. Argyle were looking ragged and it took another piece of magic from Carey's left foot to change the picture. A foul from Aaron Pierre gave Carey the opportunity to inswing a lovely ball into the Wycombe six yard box. Pierre made a complete hash of his diving headed clearance, the ball falling at Jervis' feet from two yards out and he tucked it between keeper Matt Ingram's legs to give us back our lead...2-1! The action packed first half wasn't over however and Reid almost made it 3-1 six minutes later. Another great ball, this time from the improved Kelvin Mellor was met at the far post by a diving header from Reid that Ingram did well to save with an outstretched arm. It was then the turn of the Chairboys to press. Jacobson hit a low effort that flashed just wide of Luke McCormick's post. Then a free kick was well dealt with by McCormick with the ball falling to Banton on the edge of the Argyle box. He struck a well timed shot that missed the post by a whisker with McCormick beaten. We were looking for the half time whistle, but there was still time for Carey to almost double the lead before the break. A long ball up field, more of a clearance really, was flicked back by Reid. Carey ran onto the path of the ball and hit a lovely curling 25 yard effort with his left foot. It looked like if was destined for the top corner as it flew past the sprawling Ingram but also agonisingly past the far post. The referee promptly blew the whistle and with it, brought a quite exhilarating first half to a close.
Half time brought a change of personnel with Craig Tanner coming on for the outfoxed Wylde on the left wing and the second half began. It was to be a much quieter second half in terms of entertainment, but a good one nonetheless. An early uncharacteristic mistake from the usually alert Curtis Nelson almost brought an equaliser. A simple ball came over the top and Nelson seemed to inexplicably think that perhaps a teammate was dealing with it. Garry Thompson happily accepted the gift and ran on one on one with McCormick from the right. He then sent a wonderful curling effort over McCormick that fortunately hit the inside the of the post before coming back across the face of the goal before being hacked away by Nelson. McCormick was quick to berate Nelson and it was brilliant to se a passionate argument between the Argyle players. Not long later and Ugwu gave us a early contender for miss of the season. A corner came in and the ball was headed back across the face of the goal. Ugwu slid in at the far post to seemingly score with an open goal from one yard. He somehow managed to direct the ball wide when it was a lot easier to score. I would advise watching Soccer AM next week as I would be surprised if it doesn't make the bloopers reel! From then on however, the rest of the half was a defensive master class from Argyle with Carl McHugh, Hiram Boateng and especially Hartley making wonderful challenges to keep Wycombe out. McCormick also looked very commanding and confident coming for crosses. Jervis was replaced by Brunt for the final quarter of an hour and Reid got a huge cheer when he was replaced by Lee Cox for the final eight minutes. A couple of early head clashes in the second half meant that seven minutes injury time was added. This created further drama with a nail biting end for the Green Army faithful. The lads stood firm however and held out for a well earned three points.
So another win for Argyle and with it we leapfrogged Wycombe into second place in the table. There was even a stage in the match when Leyton Orient were 1-0 down to Cambridge United that chants of 'We are top of the league' were ringing out around Adams Park. It was great to see Reid back to his commanding best as well as Carey who seems a level above this league. I was especially impressed with Hartley, who commanded the defence like a general and put his body on the line a number of times. For Adams the omens are looking very good. A solid start with goals coming in every game this season, a statistic only Manchester City can match in the top four divisions, as well as backing from the fans and a young attacking team. The season will no doubt have it's downs to contradict the positive start but at present all is rosy in the Argyle garden. Revenge was indeed dealt out and for today at least Wycombe Wanderers' home ground was indeed (Derek) Adams' Park!
Best Player - Graham Carey
Attendance - 4223 (777 Argyle)
Next Game - 19/09/2015 Bristol Rovers (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 31 year old Joanna Higginson from Keyham
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? '16 years'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'My boyfriend at the time took me to my first ever live football match - the Exeter derby in 1999. It was in November, so it was freezing cold. But standing on the Devonport End terrace I absolutely loved every second of the football and atmosphere. We won 1-0 and I was hooked from that very first match'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'The 7-0 demolition of Chesterfield or the 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers to win the Division Two title'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Peter Halmosi was technically a fantastic player, but my stand out is David Friio for his goals and performances in what was an incredibly successful period for the club'
Best current Argyle player? 'Currently Graham Carey without a doubt, he has got off to a flying start. He offers a quality of crossing and set piece ability we have lacked for some time. Prior to Carey and his storming start it would have been Reuben Reid or Luke McCormick'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'Incredibly happy, definitely feel we have the right man in place. It's been refreshing to see early changes tactically during matches, in terms of substitutions and formations. I think he has been impressive both on and off the pitch. His style of play and the players he has brought in to execute it has been winning the fans over, myself included!'
Season Prediction? 'Promotion if we can keep injuries to key players to a minimum, or bring in good loan signings if or when necessary. I'll be cautious and say third place!'
Prediction for our next match at home to Bristol Rovers? '3-0 to Argyle, fingers crossed!'
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