Following on from back to back to wins, confidence was once again high going into our first return fixture of the season. Argyle's opponents for the day were Newport County, and what would their only venture across the Welsh border this season for this league fixture at Rodney Parade. A lot has changed since the Green Army's previous meeting, a 1-0 victory at Home Park in August settled by an outstanding Graham Carey volley. First off, the Exiles' form is much improved under the stewardship of their new manager, ex Pilgrims' boss John Sheridan, who replaced Terry Butcher at the helm after a torrid first few months in the league. With Kevin Feely leaving the sport for personal reasons and Regan Poole's glamour move to Manchester United, Sheridan has no doubt steadied an otherwise bumpy ship. Add to that the improved form of striker Scott Boden and Newport were not the guaranteed three points they may have been seen earlier on in the campaign. The good news for Argyle however is the steady progress of yet another loanee in Oscar Threlkeld, as well as the impending return of Hiram Boateng. Also Luke McCormick's reassuring presence between the sticks has been a factor in the recent upturn in results. Having reached the summit to be top of the pile at Christmas, it was now time to cement that position to say the Green Army could be top for the opening of the New Year!
With the crowd in good spirits, fresh from Christmas festivities and celebrations, referee Frederick Graham got proceedings underway. The match opened in an even fashion with both sides having an equal share of the ball, as well as early long range efforts from Craig Tanner and Lenell John-Lewis respectively. Scott Bennett also had an effort on the quarter of an hour mark, cutting inside of Curtis Nelson before sending a fizzing right footed effort along the ground and into the grateful clasping hands of McCormick. Other than these chances, the match was pretty scrappy, with both teams cancelling each other out, no doubt wanting the points desperately for entirely different reasons. It came as no surprise then, when the opening goal really came out of nothing. A long hopeful ball from Exiles stopper Joe Day was flicked on by John-Lewis. Nelson and Peter Hartley both seemed to misjudge the flight of the ball, allowing Boden to run in on McCormick, before expertly lifting it over McCormick with his right foot and into the net. 1-0 to Newport, and the quality of Boden's finish meant it was probably deserved in an otherwise evenly contested match. The rest of the half seemed to peter out quite quietly, with Ryan Brunt trying a right footed speculative effort after cutting inside of Janoi Donacien, that Day held comfortably. The energetic John-Lewis also tested McCormick with a right footed snap shot just inside the box, but again it was the keeper who came out on top, holding comfortably. As the half came to a close, it seemed that both sides could benefit from a break as the play and the crowd were becoming tiresome. Referee Graham duly obliged and brought proceedings to a halt.
As with a lot of half time breaks this season, it was up to Derek Adams to rouse the troops for the second half. Whilst Argyle hadn't been awful, the play was probably too cautious and the Green Army needed a route back into the match. On change was made with Josh Simpson replacing the tired looking Gregg Wyld and whatever Adams said to accompany that change at half time seemed to have the desired impact straight away. Argyle came out with purpose, and barely three minutes into the second half the Pilgrims had their equaliser. A heard into the Green Army's half was sent back with interest by Nelson. Simpson managed to bring the ball under control before laying it back to Brunt. Brunt then cut inside before delivering an in swinging left foot cross to the far post, which was met perfectly by Jake Jervis, who sent his accurate header into the bottom left corner to level things. This early equaliser really inspired Argyle and just moments later it could have been 2-1. A through ball from Kelvin Mellor found Brunt in space in the box but his sharp effort from close range just cleared Day's crossbar. The Green Army were not to be perturbed however and kept on pushing. Brunt again created a shooting opportunity by bamboozling Exiles centre back Matt Partridge before sending a twenty yard left footed effort swerving towards goal. Day did well again however, to both judge the flight and speed of the shot to adjust his body accordingly and hold onto the effort. Shortly after and Simpson had a clear cut chance to give Argyle the lead. Freed on the left hand side of the box by Threlkeld, he was one on one with Day. Simpson tried to slide the ball in at his near post, but Day did well to send the ball behind with his feet. With twenty two minutes left on the clock it was the turn of Nelson to squander a golden opportunity. Tanner whipped in a corner from the left and Nelson had a free header from six yards out that he managed to put wide with the goal at his mercy. It was beginning to feel like a goal wouldn't come for the travelling fans to cheer. Then yet again it was Brunt who stepped up to the plate with what would be a crucial and decisive goal. A long throw into the box from Mellor was flicked on by Brunt. The ball appeared to hit Donacien on the arm and the appeals from the Green Army seemed to distract everyone but Brunt. He sent the ball back with interest, smashing a left foot volley across Day and into the far bottom corner. 2-1 to Argyle and at this point, no more than they deserved. As seems to be typical of football in general, rather than act as a catalyst for the Green Army, this seemed to push the back into a defensive shell and in turn reignite Newport. Only four minutes later and the Exiles almost had their equaliser. A superb in swinging cross from Mark Byrne was met by a powerful header from John-Lewis towards the bottom left hand corner. McCormick did excellently well to parry the ball to safety, before it was then picked up by Boden. He laid the ball back to the onrushing Byrne who it a first time effort just wide and into the side netting at McCormick's near post. Newport felt a creaking ship and began to pile the pressure on. Another cross into the box bounced around before landing invitingly at the feet of Byrne who seemed destined to score. McCormick came out to meet him, spreading his big frame and producing another excellent save in the process. Further efforts from Tommy O'Sullivan and Scott Bennett followed, but again McCormick was equal to both of them with great saves. Adams felt the need to steady the ship and Tanner was replaced by Ben Purrington for the final ten minutes. This change seemed to have the desired effect once again as Argyle slowed the match down and saw the game out for another vital three points in their promotion push!
Well after no wins in five, it's now three wins in three! Football is a fickle game at the best of times! Today's performance, whilst by no means Argyle's finest, was yet again effective. Small bits of quality were the difference, and the presence of McCormick in between the sticks certainly brings a cakm and more assured performance from Hartley and Nelson in front of him. That coupled with Brunt's consistent and confident form seem to have brought about a resolute winning formula. With Boateng due back for our next match away to Carlisle United and with arguably our two best performers in Care and Reuben Reid to return, 2016 looks very bright and hopeful indeed!
Best Player - Luke McCormick
Attendance - 4314 (1074 Argyle)
Next Game - Carlisle United (a) (League 2) 02/01/2016
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
www.argyle.life where I am part of a team of writers. Please come along and visit the site and it's writers. It's a great site with a broad range of opinions and views.
Today's fan is 17 year old Joe Balsdon from Crownhill, Plymouth
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'I have been an Argyle fan all my life (17 short years!), which was started by my granddad taking me to my first match when I was just 3 weeks old!'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'Going to an Argyle match just before the Millennia! I cant remember who it was against but we won 2-1. You have to bear in mind I was only 18 months old!'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'Darlington away during the season we won promotion. It was a great atmosphere. The coaches were buzzing and as we won we were singing all the way back to Plymouth!'
Best all time Argyle player? 'In my opinion it was David Friio. I loved his passion for the club and his drive to achieve his ambitions with the club'
Best current Argyle player? 'Luke McCormick has got to be one of our greatest keepers ever. He has a passion for the club which is second to none, and he also has a lot of time for all of the faithful Argyle fans'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'I think Derek Adams is a great manager. He has passion, ambition and drive for the club. He always seems to have the upmost time and respect for the supporters and everyone involved with club'
Season Prediction? 'I think this season we will gain automatic promotion, albeit in first or second place!'
Prediction for our next match away to Carlisle United? '2-1 because it will be evenly matched and we are both in good form'
No comments:
Post a Comment