With our winning formula in full flow the Green Army welcomed Accrington Stanley to Home Park. Another team who are in good form, Stanley were looking to continue to spring surprises in what has been an unfamiliar season for them at the top end of the table under the able stewardship of John Coleman. Accrington boast a young and hungry squad that includes ex Manchester United academy product Matt Crooks, alongside the both impressive Billy Kee and Sean McConville as well as their talismanic forward Josh Windass (Son of former Hull legend Dean!). This team would provide a good test for Argyle today, on the back of a fortunate victory at Meadow Lane last Sunday. For Argyle the starting line up stayed the same as what took to the pitch against Notts County, even though Derek Adams had made early changes after it failed to gel. Perhaps at home and with a more positive emphasis it would work better? The crowd was naturally upbeat given the recent form of the team and there was a real feeling of positivity coming into the match. It was refreshing to see this, especially coming off the back of a poor performance, albeit a victory live on Sky last weekend!
The match got underway and it was Argyle who made the first opening. Craig Tanner ran through the centre of the Stanley midfield before playing a precise ball out to the right and into the path of Jake Jervis. He cut in from the right side of the box and sent a right footed effort across Accrington stopper Jason Mooney. The ball was destined for the bottom corner, however Mooney got a hand to the effort and sent it wide. With the home fans roaring, could it be a sign of things to come? Sadly no, and as was similar to last week, this early scare for Stanley seemed to only spur them on. Just a short time later and a clumsy slip from Peter Hartley let in Windass through on goal. Windass seemed to have an eternity to pick his spot, but Curtis Nelson got back in superbly to make a world class sliding tackle and win the ball cleanly. It was both impressive and brave from Nelson, as had he got it wrong it would have resulted in a penalty and the inevitable red card that would have followed! This didn't dissuade Windass however and he used great strength again, this time to easily turn Hartley, and when Nelson came across he cleverly laid the ball to his right and into the path of McConville. The spaces were huge, and with McConville through one on one with Luke McCormick, along with Pedro Mingoia to his right, it seemed to be a sure goal again. McConville chose to take on the shot and McCormick produced an excellent stop with his feet to send the ball wide. The Green Army were looking really out of sorts and Hiram Boateng and Josh Simpson were struggling to break down their midfield attacking flair. A slight piece of respite nearly resulted in Argyle taking the lead. Gregg Wylde skipped past Liam Wakefield on the left and dug out a cross. Reuben Reid headed back the cross into the path of Simpson who hit a first time effort that was well saved by Mooney with his feet. It proved only a fleeting moment of Green Army resolve however. Another golden opportunity for Stanley, this time again for McConville. Mingoia sent a corner in form the right, and when the flick on found McConville at the far post, his right foot volley beat McCormick but also came back off the underside of the crossbar. A few minutes later and McConville was causing further problems. This time he danced in from the left, gliding past three limp Argyle challenges before firing a right footed effort that McCormick expertly tipped over the bar. The Argyle keeper showed his frustration screaming at his defensive colleagues to sharpen up as it was beginning to become embarrassing. This didn't seem to have the desired effect and there was still time in the half for Mingoia to have two good efforts saved. Both came from the right hand side of McCormick's box. The first across him and well saved with his hands, the next at his near post and well saved by his feet. The first half had been complete dominance from Accrington and Coleman must have been wondering how it was still level. Adams had some work to do to reinvigorate his troops for the second half!
The half time break was full of discontent with a number of fans questioning what was undoubtedly the Green Army's worst half of football this season. As ever, Adams showed an impressive boldness in his changes for the start of the second half. Boateng and Tanner were replaced by Carl McHugh and Graham Carey respectively. Both had a half to forget in uncharacteristic poor performances. Perhaps given their age and experience this would prove to be a positive move for both themselves and the team. The second half no doubt started better for Argyle, with Carey showing his industry along with his technique to press the Stanley players and spread the ball well. An early shot from him just over the bar. This proved to further boost his ambitions and when he sent another left footed effort just wide with Mooney scrambling the fans began to warm more. Carey's introduction had again made a difference and it was from a free kick delivered by him that the opening goal came. Carey hit a trademark left footed cross in at the near post. An under pressure Nelson header looped high into the air and to back towards the edge of the box. Reid watched it fall out of the sky and caught a superb first time right foot volley that flew into the top left hand corner. Argyle were 1-0 up and for the second week running it was Reid's quality that proved the difference. Again the Green Army faithful were expectant of a continued resurgent presence within the game, but it failed to materialise. Then when Reid limped off to be replaced by Ryan Brunt it seemed destined to be backs against the wall for the final twenty minutes! Accrington went back on top and almost got a deserved equaliser shortly after. A ball from Dean Winnard was played out wide and into the path of Mingoia. Some tricky feet took him past Kelvin Mellor and when the cross came in it was poorly cleared by Hartley and straight into the path of McConville onto the edge of the box. He shaped an excellent effort that beat McCormick but again came back off the underside off he bar and was cleared. Windass then had a chance when Mingoia cut the ball back to him from the by line, but he blasted the ball over from 12 yards out. It continued to appear that the two Mc's (McCormick and McConville) were having a personal duel, and when another McConville drive from the edge of the box was brilliantly saved at the foot of McCormcik's near post, it appeared the Argyle keeper had won. There was still time for one final scare from Stanley. Kee found Winnard out wide on the left and his cross was met by the head of Accrington substitute Terry Gornell. His header flashed across the goal beating everyone, but also most importantly beating the far post and going wide. Referee Nick Kinseley brought proceedings to a close shortly after, to what had been a truly nail biting encounter for Argyle!
Today's performance for me outlined some of our best traits and also some of our worst. With the season now thirteen matches old, this was our first real test against a team on form and full of quality. A test I feel we ultimately won in terms of result but failed in many aspects. The lack of pressing in the first half caused major concern and with it a lack of confidence across the back four. Tanner and Boateng looked out of their depth, but in fairness they have been excellent this season and are granted one bad performance. Reid's lack of tracking back was clearly evident against a young and high pressing Accrington side. However on some positive notes, it was Reid, who's quality told in the end, scoring a quite breath taking winner. Also Adams showed boldness in decision making and with that Carey highlighted why he has been coveted by Wolves in recent weeks. A rare gem, in that he has technical expertise but also works so hard for the team, tracking and harrying consistently. For me though, the hero of the hour has to be McCormick. A series of outstanding saves and a commanding presence in an otherwise out of sorts defence today. With six points from two poor performances, sitting three points clear at the top of League 2 and on a six match winning streak it can be difficult to argue with Adams' choices! On to Oxford on Tuesday in a huge match between top and third in the table, and another test that hopefully we pass with colours, even if their not flying!
Best Player - Luke McCormick
Attendance - 7865
Next Game - 20/10/2015 Oxford United (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 that 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 36 year old Christopher Lock from Exeter (you can take the Janner out of Plymouth, but you can't take Plymouth out of the Janner!)
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'I've been an Argyle supporter for 26 years'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'My father kept an old programme from the 1973 game between Argyle and Santos. Pele came to Plymouth and I remember my Dad giving me the programme'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'It was in 1992 and was Argyle v Tranmere Rovers. I was match day mascot and we won 1-0!'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Dwight Marshall. He made a big impact at Home Park. He was the club's top scorer in his debut season ad was voted Argyle player of the year. Dwight had everything...pace, skill and was also a well liked personality around Home Park'
Best current Argyle player? 'Gregg Wylde. He is quick and exciting to watch and has played at a very high level with Rangers in Scotland. Gregg is a creator and scorer of goals. I feel his quality is a huge benefit to us this season'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'I'm generally pleased with Derek Adams' performance. He has led Argyle to the top of League 2 after thirteen games. He also seems a very positive manager which in turn seems to reflect onto the players'
Season Prediction? 'I think we will win the league this season so 1st!'
Prediction for our next match away to Oxford United? 'Oxford United are one of the three biggest clubs in League 2. Away at the Kassam Stadium will be a tough challenge for us, but after our recent form I feel Argyle will win 2-1!'
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