The time had come for Argyle's first meeting with the Grecians' of the season. Derby day was upon Plymouth, slightly earlier than expected due to the luck of the Johnstones Paint Trophy draw. With both sides in good form and a near full house at Home Park, the match was hotly anticipated on many fronts. Suspensions to Carl McHugh and Gary Sawyer meant the return of Josh Simpson, and a first start of the season for academy product Ben Purrington at left back. Despite the Green Army's recent form, there have been calls for more opportunities for youth and Tuesday night was certainly one of them. One other change was a new role in the centre for Craig Tanner in place of Graham Carey who had failed to shake a niggling injury picked up against Crawley Town on Saturday. It would be interesting to see Tanner in this new position and whether on not he could dictate play in a similar way to Carey? For Exeter City, Argyle boo boy Clinton Morrison started on the bench alongside the impressive Tom Nichols, in what otherwise was a fairly strong starting eleven.
The first half got underway and Argyle were into their stride straight away. A confidence belied the play, no doubt in part to our two successive home victories, hoping tonight would bring a third. Again though it was the opposition who had the first clear cut opportunity. Just two minutes on the clock and a Troy Brown header was parried by Argyle keeper Luke McCormick. The ball spilt out to the left hand side and into the path of Grecians forward Joel Grant. He however he a wild first time effort over the bar when it was seemingly easier to hit the target. An early let off for the Green Army and one that was not to repeated. Jake Jervis was the first to test Exeter keeper Bobby Olejnik and his right footed effort from a tight angle was well saved. Not long after and a great ball in from the left by Gregg Wylde was met by a thumping Reuben Reid header. The ball looked destined for the top corner but Olejnik pulled off a wonderful save, palming the ball out for a corner. From this resultant corner the Grecians defence could only partially clear to the edge of the box. Jervis created space for himself before firing a left footed shot with interest that Olejnik again did well to touch over the bar. Argyle was forcing the match and dictating the tempo and pace of the game. Just when it looked like the Green Army were getting on top, Exeter had a chance of their own. Arron Davies hit a similar effort to Jervis' just previously that this time McCormick tipped over in similar fashion. The game then started moving end to end with speculative efforts from Argyle's Wylde and the Grecians Danny Butterfield and David Wheeler respectively. With the crowd roaring them on, the Green Army pushed on again. Reid had a shot blocked before being released by Tanner on the right before flashing a shot across Olejnik's goal, but agonisingly just wide. The better chances were being created by Argyle and it wasn't long before the rewards were reaped. A corner from the right by tanner was met by a solid near post header from Hiram Boateng that flew into the top corner to give the Green Army a deserved 1-0 lead. Further efforts from both Simpson and Reid tested Olejnik again but he was equal to them. Referee Brendan Malone brought play to a close and Argyle went in at the break with both the momentum and the lead!
As the half time break came to a close and the players arrived back on the pitch for the second half, a bizarre moment happened. As sometimes happens in football a floodlight failure brought with it laughter but also a thirty minute delay in proceedings. The time was passed in true Green Army style with mobile phone lights on and a tuneful rendition of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds. On a serious note however, the delay probably favoured Exeter slightly more due to Argyle having the momentum going into half time. After the lights came back on and the applause started, it did seem to appear that the Grecians had a renewed vigour for the fight. Just as it looked like they may have got on top, a piece of sublime skill and ability from Tanner changed all that. Picking up the ball on the half way line he ran at the Exeter defence before skipping inside of a final challenge and side footing the ball confidently past Olejnik and into the bottom left hand corner of the net. 2-0 and it was no more than the Green Army deserved for a dominant and clinical performance. Far from see a Grecians revival, this actually spurred Argyle on further. It was Wylde who had an effort well blocked shortly afterwards, before Tanner skipped by a couple more challenges, this time sending the ball just over the crossbar. It was all Argyle and it forced Exeter manager Paul Tisdale into a couple of changes, with Nichols and Morrison replacing Wheeler and Jordan Tilson respectively. Morrison received his expected chorus of boos after consistent inflammatory marks about the Green Army in recent weeks! If these changes were meant to change the pattern of play it didn't really work. Tanner again found space for a shot but again Olejnik did well to keep the score respectively. Jervis then had two shots from the edge of the box in a minute, one with either foot, that both just missed the target. The Grecians made their final change with Christian Ribeiro coming on for Tom McCready and this brought a slight reprieve. For a ten minute spell Exeter created chances, the first a free header for Nichols that he put just wide from six yards out. This was quickly followed by long range efforts from Ryan Harley and Jordan Moore-Taylor that were both well saved by McCormick. When Nichols again found himself before flashing his shot just over the bar from the right it was the cue to change some tiring legs. Ryan Brunt replaced Reid with five minutes left and in the closing minutes Lee Cox and Tyler Harvey got some limited game time in place of Simpson and Tanner respectively. A couple of late chances fell to Wylde on the left, but a weak shot, then followed by another effort when he should have passed meant no gloss could be added to the score line. It wasn't to matter though and the referee brought proceedings to a close and for once a comfortable, non nail biting victory was complete!
After watching this performance I can safely say that it is by a long way our most impressive at Home Park this season. Tanner and Purrington really took their chances, and if it wasn't for the consistent form of Carey and Sawyer there would be louder calls for their inclusion for this Sunday's match with Notts County. With every passing match it really becomes more of a labour of love to write these match reports. There are calls (most notably from Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder!) to scrap the Johnstones Paint Trophy, but I disagree. Not only does it give smaller squads another chance to try new tactics and personnel it also brings about the opportunity to witness really memorable derby games like the one I just had the pleasure to witness. Although not mentioned throughout the report, Curtis Nelson was phenomenal tonight and a key reason as to why Exeter couldn't break Argyle down. With the Green Army perched proudly upon the top of the league and on the back of a great derby win, I will be looking forward to Sunday's trip to Meadow Lane with relish!
Best Player - Curtis Nelson
Attendance - 9441
Next Game - 11/10/2015 Notts County (a) (League 2)
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| Mark Matthews (right) with Academy product Ben Steer |
Today's fan is 26 year old Mark Matthews from Plymouth
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? '20 years'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'Being took to see the 'magic' of the FA Cup with my Dad, Uncle and Brother. I ended up being freezing cold, bored and not being able to see very much! I also remember having to wee against a wall having to promise I did not repeat anything I heard at the match when we got home in front of mother!'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'Well I suppose the QPR game, because of what was riding on it, but it's a bit obvious. Mickey Evans last game against Ipswich, where he managed to score a diving header in front of the Devonport End was an extremely emotional moment for me. Getting to see my childhood hero get the absolute fairy tale ending he deserved! Also even though I have seen us beat Exeter before, last season's home game where all three goal scorers had come through our ranks. One of them being Plymouth's own Tyler Harvey and that wonder free kick, oh and also River Allen putting THAT crunching tackle in. it was a very proud day for me!'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Mickey Evans
Best current Argyle player? 'I think Tyler Harvey is the most naturally gifted player and I think that Ben Steer is on to watch in our youth set up'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'Jury is still out for me. I'm sure he is doing as he has been and as he has been told by the board. However he has undoubtedly been a breath of fresh air. He has got us winning games that we wouldn't have last season and brought back a feel good factor. I'm a bit disappointed with his comments about youth development pre season that raised a few hopes. That has still remained disappointingly low'
Season Prediction? 'Automatic promotion'
Prediction for our next match away to Notts County? 'I think 1-1 because whilst we are doing well on the road we are traditionally poor in front of the TV cameras! (of course I hope they win!). I do however think the youth team will beat Oxford United by at least two clear goals. 3-1 is my prediction for that game!'
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