Off the back of a midweek defeat at Oxford United, and the previous poor performance at home to Accrington Stanley, came the Saturday trip to Kenilworth Road (home of Luton Town) for the Argyle faithful. Following on from Derek Adams' failed test of starting Jake Jervis in the target man role, came the inclusion of Ryan Brunt in Reuben Reid's continued absence. Craig Tanner took up the right wing role with Graham Carey reverting back to his preferred and most influential central role. For Luton Town, who lost talismanic captain Steve McNulty to Tranmere Rovers in midweek, their own form can be considered shaky at best! After pre season optimism regarding their promotion credentials it can be best be stated that the season hasn't panned out as expected. With every positive result quickly followed by a negative one and one too many drawn games. Their squad boasts the experience of goalkeeper Mark Tyler and ex Brighton and Hove Albion hotshot Craig Mackail-Smith (who was out injured for today's match!), as well as an extensive list of players with League 2 know how. It would be interesting to see how the Green Army fared and whether the performance could improve somewhat on our previous two league matches!
The match kicked off an Argyle were out of the blocks quickly. The evergreen Brunt keen to stamp his authority and presence on the game. Carl McHugh looked hungry and persistent in midfield, and Gregg Wylde also contributed down the left in a high pressing opening period. It wasn't long before the impressive entry to the match bore fruit, and when Tanner got in down the left wing, he sent a delightful whipped cross into the box. It sailed over Brunt at the near post, and Scott Cuthbert looked to clear before Wylde sneaked in front of him but sent his header wide from six yards when he really should have hit the target. Not to be put off however, Wylde and Gary Sawyer were linking up well down the left wing, with Hiram Boateng using his strength and intelligence to create space for their interplay. A series of crosses and corners were causing problems for the Hatters defence and when Tyler was berating them for a lack of closing down, it seemed a goal was surely coming. Another corner on the left was played short by Carey to Tanner. Tanner took it across the edge of the Luton eighteen yard box before whipping an in swinging cross into the box. A lovely flick on from McHugh found the top corner with Tyler left sprawling. 1-0 to Argyle and it seemed that the boys in green had found their swagger back. Luton were all at sea, and it seemed only a matter of time before the Green Army advantage was doubled. Quick and incisive passing was drawing the Hatters defence out of position and when Carey found space on his left foot their was an audible gasp from the Argyle following. This time however, the lines were fluffed, and the ball sailed high and wide with Carey kicking the turf in frustration. With a totally dominant performance coming from the Green Army, the Hatters did manage to finally find some respite. Luke Guttridge managed to evade Kelvin Mellor before sending a left footed effort towards the top corner that was easily grasped by Luke McCormick. A few minutes later and Guttridge again had a chance. This time on his right foot, he picked the ball up on the edge of the Argyle box before miskicking his hot painfully wide. The tide could maybe have been turning, but who was it but Carey who reassured and reaffirmed the Green Army's dominance. A quick jink around three defenders and into the Luton box ended with a smart low save by Tyler in the bottom left hand corner from Carey's shot. Tanner had one more opening before half time, but again the shot was mistimed and sailed over the bar. Referee Ross Joyce had seen enough and blew up for half time with Argyle good value for their lead at the break.
After failing to get the second goal it was almost inevitably that John Still would motivate his Luton side into second half resurgence and it duly came. An early Cameron McGeehan header flashing just wide of McCormick's post. Not long after and Nathan Doyle had a shot well saved in the bottom right corner, again McCormick the saviour. Just when it looked like the tide was turning Argyle got back into control. A tanner cross was met by a McHugh header that was well saved by Tyler. The Green Army looked in control and were playing the game out well, using a range of passing and keeping the Hatters' midfield chasing the ball. Lee Cox came on to replace Peter Hartley with McHugh dropping back into defence. If any team looked like they would be getting a goal it was Argyle. Wylde charged into the box and hit a left footed curling effort that was well saved again by Tyler. On another day it really could have been two or three! Just when it looked like the match would be seen out, disaster struck. A scramble in the box and shot from McGeehan was blocked by Curtis Nelson. The ball bounced around before falling to McGeehan again. His effort was well saved by McCormick but fell fortunately into the path of Josh McQuoid and he happily nodded in a header from two yards into the empty net. It was more than Luton deserved and perhaps two points unfortunately lost. The response however was typical Adams! The Green Army came out with a determination to get the three points. Argyle showed purpose and almost bit back straight away when a Nelson effort went just wide of the post. With the Green Army pushing forward, Luton got their own break and a McGeehan effort went just wide again. With the points in danger Adams made another change, this time a defensive one with Oscar Threlkeld coming on in place of Wylde. This change was sandwiched by two key moments from Hatters substitute Ryan Hall. First a reckless late challenge on josh Simpson warranted a yellow card. Barely a minute later and another similarly reckless challenge, this time on Tanner, meant another yellow and Hall was off. This change in play resulted in the challenge changing again and Adams urged his team on. A smattering of half chances looked like the game was going to finish an undeserved draw for Argyle. When five extra minutes came up on the fourth official's board there was a roar from the crowd, and it was in the fifth of these moments that the key moment came. Tanner got free and sent a beautiful disguised pass into Threlkeld on the right hand side of the box. He cut the ball back to Brunt and when his first effort was partially blocked by Cuthbert he made no mistake second time round, smashing the ball past Tyler and into the net for 2-1. This brought about great scenes in the away end and the match was over with a well deserved victory under the Green Army's belts!
Today's match only went to show that Argyle don't just have hard work and endeavour, but also a big slice of luck on their side. The last three games have been challenging and to come away with six points from two poor performances and to score a last minute winner in the other, makes me feel ever more confident of this being the Green Army's promotion year. Adams is a very astute and tactically aware manager who seems to have built a very together squad of players. The embraces from the lads at the end goes to show the passion and precision he has instilled and long may it continue. With a four point gap, and the FA Cup 1st Round tie at home to Carlisle United to come, we are guaranteed to stay top until we visit York City on the 14th November. It is certainly a time to savour and I am indeed going to do that!
Best Player - Ryan Brunt
Attendance - 8703 (745 Argyle)
Next Game - 31/10/2015 Morecambe (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 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 18 year old David Marks from Plymouth
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'Two and a half years'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'Playing Exeter City'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'Against Bristol Rovers. We won the game and it made me happy for the whole weekend'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Reuben Reid'
Best current Argyle player? 'Curtis Nelson'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'He has kept us in good form all season!'
Season Prediction? 'I think we will be in League 1 next season!'
Prediction for our next match at home to Morecambe? 'It will be 2-1 to Argyle. We are one of the best clubs in the league. Since Derek Adams joined us in August he has done very well indeed'
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