After the euphoria of Tuesday night's emphatic victory over local rivals Exeter City came a successive away trip to Nottinghamshire. This time it was a trip to Meadow Lane (Home of Notts County) for the Argyle faithful. County themselves came into the game off the back of an impressive four game unbeaten streak at home, and talking to their fans before the game had real ambitions to push for promotion themselves. Of course thrown into the equation today, was the visit of the Sky Sports cameras to promote League 2 on what was an international break for the big boys of the Premiership and Championship. Whether you are an advocate or you oppose how Sky has changed the game, it nonetheless gives an opportunity to garner more support for League 2 football, which can only be a good thing! Argyle themselves welcomed back Gary Sawyer from suspension in place of Ben Purrington at left back. Josh Simpson kept his place in the heart of midfield after an impressive display against Exeter in midweek, meaning only a spot on the bench for Carl McHugh . The only other area of note being Craig Tanner keeping his place just behind the strikers, in place of Graham Carey who was on the bench after returning from injury. Looking at Notts County and the Magpies have a very deep squad for League 2 level with no less than eleven extra senior players registered compared to the Green Army! Notable features in their side include ex England international Alan Smith, former Premier League striker Jon Stead and ex Aston Villa academy player Graham Burke. County goalkeeper Roy Carroll was away celebrating qualification for Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland so former England U21 and Watford keeper Scott Loach came in for the match.
The game got off to a slow start, with both teams cancelling each other out in midfield and the wing backs on either side both looking adept at dealing with balls down the channels. Indeed it was ten minutes before a shot was taken in anger. Burke finding space and cutting across the edge of the Argyle box before hitting an awkward bouncing effort that Luke McCormick did well to grasp into his midriff. Just a minute later and Liam Noble hit a deflected looping effort that McCormick tipped fantastically over the bar. The pressure was mounting on the Green Army and when Burke hit another angled effort just over the crossbar with McCormick beaten, the fans began to fear the worst. But then football is a funny game, and just when it looked like Argyle we struggling a moment of individual brilliance from Reuben Reid changed all of that. A long punt down field from McCormick was taken expertly on the chest by Reid, spinning Gill Swerts expertly before lashing home an unstoppable right foot shot past Loach and into the bottom corner. 1-0 to the Green Army and was the good away form to continue? Three minutes later and it looked ominous. Adam Campbell played in Elliot Hewitt down the right, and he in turn cut it back for Burke who saw his first time right foot effort come back off the post and away to safety. It was a let off for Argyle who had been outplayed up until this point and were fortunate to be ahead. Further efforts from Smith and Alan Sheehan, both well saved by McCormick did little to put Green Army minds at ease. Derek Adams decided a tactical change was needed and Gregg Wylde made way for McHugh. A late curling effort from Tanner, which was well taken by Loach did little to gloss over a dominant County first half performance. Nevertheless Argyle had the lead and a much needed rest to change the tide for the second half.
The second half began and unfortunately for Green Army fans it took a similar pattern to the close of the first half. The Magpies were pressing for an equaliser and an early Sheehan header was well blocked by Curtis Nelson. Not long later and a quick fire double, first from Campbell and then from Noble respectively. Both efforts were well saved in the corners from McCormick and there was a need to strengthen the Argyle resolve against a County onslaught. With that in mind, another change was made with Carey replacing Hiram Boateng for the final twenty five minutes. Sheehan had another shot that was again well saved by McCormick and when Stead dragged his effort way wide from the centre of the goal there was a feeling this might just be a Green and White coloured day. Jake Jervis then had a big shout for a penalty after cutting inside Stanley Aborah and appearing to have his legs taken from him. However referee Jeremy Simpson who had previously booked both Reid and Izale McLeod for diving seemed against giving penalties today. As the game wore on and County tired, Argyle came more into the game. Carey miskicked an effort high and wide with his right foot from about ten yards. An effort I'm sure he would have preferred to have landed on his left! Jervis fizzed an effort just wide of the post before Burke hit a first time left footed effort that flashed anxiously just wide of McCormick's post this time. Adams made his final change with Ryan Brunt coming on in place of Tanner and it looked like the last ten minutes would be very nail biting for the travelling Green Army support. However as County pushed forward in search of an equaliser, they left themselves open to an Argyle counter attack. Carey picked the ball up just inside in his own half before playing a hopeful left footed pass over the top. Reid got in behind the County defence and cutting in from the left hit a great shot that was well parried by Loach to his right. Jervis picked up the loose ball and calmly and expertly cut it back to Reid, who hit it first time back across the goal and into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Cue unbelievable scenes as the Green Army fans went delirious and a 2-0 lead looked to have secured the points. With just five minutes remaining, the Magpies players looked naturally deflated and Reid almost got his hat trick in injury time. Another long hopeful ball looked seemingly like it would be dealt with easily by the County defence. However Mike Edwards and Aborah managed to get in each other's way and this left Reid to power in on goal. With just Loach to beat, Reid hit his effort true but it was well saved by Loach with his feet. In all honesty, as much as it would have been great to see Reid complete his hat trick, a 2-0 score line more than flattered Argyle, to make it 3-0 would have been unjust on County. The referee soon blew his whistle and with it the Green Army picked up another three points and moved back to the league's summit!
Today's match was a really interesting examination and observation of Argyle's character. One I'm glad to say that they passed with flying colours. Boateng struggled today, but given his age and recent brilliant performances he can be forgiven. Kelvin Mellor continues to impress and now looks remarkably like a calming influence down the right hand side. Nelson, Peter Hartley and McCormick performed quietly but mightily impressively and showed great positional play and resolve when put under huge pressure throughout the match. But the plaudits must go to Reid, who showed that extra bit of class that was the difference today. He has been critiqued (maybe harshly in some quarters!) this season but today he reminded me and every Green Army follower of his importance to the team. Accrington Stanley are up next, followed by tough away trips to Oxford United and Luton Town respectively. With all three sides near the top and pushing for promotion, the results of these matches could be pivotal to Argyle's season. Let's hope the run of both goals and points continues!
Best Player - Reuben Reid
Attendance - 5266 (826 Argyle)
Next Game - 17/10/2015 Accrington Stanley (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
danstone84@hotmail.com or alternatively get in touch through social media. Either on Twitter @danstone84 or on one of the Facebook forums tagging me in Dan Stone. My match reports also feature on
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Today's fan is 20 year old Kane Winters from Plymouth
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'The first game I went to was 11 years ago, but I only started going on a regular basis in the 2009/10 season. Since then I have gone to every home and away game possible'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'My first ever Argyle game and we beat Port Vale 2-1. It was the season we won the old Division Two title, in February 2004 if I recall. Ian Stonebridge got a late winner and I went with my school that day. I must have been in the family zone because I tried joining in with the chanting that was going on in the Lyndhurst. It's fair to say that on that occasion I was on my own!'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'There have been many, including the trouncing of Exeter City both home and away last season. But I have to say it was AFC Wimbledon away in the Johnstones Paint Trophy this season. To come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 was sensational. It made the trip well worthwhile, even if it was the JPT! The atmosphere was electric that night!'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Of all time you couldn't dispute it not being Tommy Tynan. His goal scoring record was phenomenal. I wish I had been around in that era to see him play. But in more recent times I'd have to say 'Captain Fantastic' Paul Wotton'
Best current Argyle player? 'Graham Carey. He has been absolutely outstanding since coming to us, a great bit of business there. I think he could certainly cut it in the Championship!'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'He is doing a brilliant job so far. he has brought that hunger and desire we have been missing for so long. They know they're good enough now. You can see it in the team's performances. It is definitely something we lacked in previous managerial reigns. Adams has given them that belief and there is a general feel good factor around the place. However feet must be kept firmly on the ground for now though and we need to keep the momentum going. It seems that the hard work being put in behind the scenes is paying dividends on the pitch!'
Season Prediction? '3rd (Automatic Promotion)'
Prediction for our next match at home to Accrington Stanley? 'Heart says 2-1 win, but my head says a 1-1 draw. This will be a difficult test for us. Accrington Stanley have proved this season that they are not to be underestimated. Full credit must go to John Coleman and his players for the position they find themselves in. They will give us a good game without a doubt'
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