After the somewhat lucky three points against Barnet on Tuesday night, along came the visit of another lowly positioned League 2 club in Crawley Town. Before coming into these two home matches, expectations were rife that six points would be collected quite routinely for Argyle. On the back of the Barnet performance the fans would be forgiven for approaching the match with more trepidation rather than expectation. Crawley came into the match on the back of just two wins in their opening ten League 2 fixtures, although their most recent was a comfortable 3-0 win at Newport County on Tuesday evening. Taking this result into account, this could potentially become a more tricky task than was again first anticipated. Looking at the team news and on a positive note was the welcome return of Carl McHugh from his hamstring injury. He replaced Josh Simpson in a like for like, in what was otherwise an unchanged starting line-up.
The match got underway and it became apparent quite early that Derek Adams had addressed the sluggish start we made against Barnet previously. There was a fast paced and high pressing approach right from the first whistle. Gregg Wylde was looking eager to impress after some less than productive displays in recent weeks. Himself and Gary Sawyer combining well down the left hand side for Argyle in the opening exchanges and in turn drawing the Red Devils midfield apart. However it was Crawley who had the first attempt. A failure to close down former Arsenal academy product Rhys Murphy, meant he had time to set his sights and strike the ball from twenty yards out unchallenged. Luckily for Argyle, the Red Devils striker hit his effort high and well wide. This again served as a reminder to stay concentrated and aware even when the Green Army are on top. It wasn't long before the ever present Graham Carey was involved. A neat cross field ball from McHugh to the left hand side of the box found Carey. When it looked like he would bring the ball under his control, he instead tried an audacious left foot volley that flashed across the goal and just wide with Crawley keeper Freddie Woodman beaten. As Argyle pressed further there were chances from Jake Jervis and Hiram Boateng respectively. The first came from a cross from Wylde that caused havoc in the Red Devils box. The ball fell to Jervis and his first time effort was well blocked by Sonny Bradley. Next up was Boateng who had been commanding in midfield and he struck an effort that was well saved by Woodman in the bottom corner. Just three minutes later and a corner from Carey found McHugh unmarked. He headed the ball towards goal and somehow Woodman managed to produce a fantastic save by clawing it out on the line after the ball had passed him by. Wylde then had an effort from the edge of the box that flashed wide off his left foot before an unmarked Reuben Reid header was easily saved. This was so far Argyle's best performance of the season and the goal just wasn't coming. With half time approaching, the Green Army got the goal their dominance deserved. Carey picked the ball up in the centre of the park before playing a quick defence splitting ball through to Reid. Reid was through one on one with Woodman and despite being pulled back by Bradley, stayed on his feet and slotted past Woodman and into the right corner of the net for 1-0. It was a great moment not just for Argyle, but also for Reid himself who has struggled to adapt to Adams' philosophy but is now getting to grips with it. Whilst the crowd were celebrating taking a deserved lead, Argyle were almost sucker punched when a cross from Lewis Young (younger brother of Manchester United and England's Ashley) found Murphy unmarked in the six yard box. Instead of hitting it first time, he dallied and when he eventually sent a weak scooped effort towards goal it was easily saved by Luke McCormick. It was another timely reminder of the concentration levels the Green Army need to keep, to make sure our efforts are merited. Nevertheless Argyle went in at half time with the lead, and it certainly made the half time pies taste that bit better!
The sides came out for the second half and this time it was Crawley who were out of the traps the quicker. An early Ross Jenkins effort well saved by McCormick to his right. The pressure was kept up for around ten minutes, before Boateng again took control of the midfield, breaking up play and spreading the ball well with accurate and incisive passing. He again had another attempt at goal after a burst of pace took him past Red Devils midfielder Gwion Edwards only to see the impressive Bradley block his effort. This was quickly followed by another Wylde effort from the left, as he cut inside and hit a shot towards the top corner that was well saved by Woodman. The pressure was mounting from Argyle again and it felt like the second goal could be coming. Wylde again found an angle on the left before firing in a low cross across the goal. And when it was parried out by Woodman into the path of Kelvin Mellor it seemed this was the moment. However feeling pressure from Bradley, Mellor leaned back and sent his effort over from six yards with the goal gaping. This miss seemed to again spark a revival of sorts into Crawley, although they were forced into speculative long range efforts. In the closing stages Simpson came on in place of Jervis and Ryan Brunt replaced Wylde. It seemed like the match was petering out and that the Green Army would hold onto the three points in a match that should have had a much more comfortable score line. With five minutes left on the clock, Crawley won a free kick on the right. Former Argyle player and Red Devils substitute Simon Walton sent the ball to the far post and it was met by a Josh Worweth header. McCormick did incredibly well to tip the header on to the post, but as it came back off of the post it fell to Crawley striker Roarie Deacon who managed to scramble the ball in for a somewhat underserved equaliser. 1-1 and it seemed that the Green Army had thrown away the three points in a similar vein to the match with Bristol Rovers two weeks prior. It was at this point that there was a real passion shown from the Argyle players. No heads went down and some vociferous shouting and clapping from Carey and Boateng started the charge. The team pushed forward in numbers and Carey won a free kick from thirty yards out. He assumed responsibility and hit a curling left footed effort at goal. Woodman could only parry and Boateng was on hand to slam the ball first time into the back of the net. 2-1 and cue massive celebrations from fans and players alike. With five minutes added time there were some nervy moments left, and this time there was some playing the ball into corners to protect the lead. Although even one of these moments found Reid clear on goal on the left but a communication mix up with Brunt meant they couldn't give the score line the gloss it deserved. The referee soon brought the game to an end and with six points from six with both matches finishing 2-1!
Today's performance was the best I have seen at Home Park this season. If Argyle had been more clinical this really could have been five or six. That being said we sit proudly upon the top of League 2, the first time we have topped any league for around 10 years! Whilst Carey continues to get mine and other's plaudits, today and throughout the season I have been mightily impressed with Boateng and his maturity in handling difficult situations. Keeping the midfield partnership of him and McHugh post January may be a key factor in getting promoted. Up next is the derby with Exeter City and after the last two wins confidence will be very high indeed!
Best Player - Hiram Boateng
Attendance - 7173
Next Game 0 06/10/2015 Exeter City (h) (Johnstones Paint Trophy Southern Section 2nd Round)
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 20 year old Thomas Smith from Plymouth
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? '12 years'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'Winning 4-0 away at Sheffield Wednesday!'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'Beating Exeter City 3-1, when Reuben Reid scored a hat trick!'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Luke McCormick'
Best current Argyle player? 'Graham Carey'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'He's had a great start to the season and he needs to keep up the good work!'
Season Prediction? 'Finishing first if not then second!'
Prediction for our next match at home to Exeter City? 'I think Argyle will win 2-1. I can see there being a lot of chances for both teams. Only one goal will separate them'
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