Firstly before this match report I'd like to wish all my readers and fellow Argyle faithful a very merry Christmas. I hope you all enjoyed your large helpings of Christmas dinner (with a little bit of a tipple!) and are ready for the Green Army's three exciting festive fixtures against Yeovil Town, Newport County and Carlisle United respectively. So with that being said it was time to welcome second bottom of League 2 Yeovil Town to Home Park. Prior to Argyle's dramatic last minute victory away to Hartlepool United and both times have been in indifferent form to say the least! However based on current league positions and if the Green Army have continued aspirations of getting promoted or even winning the league title, then this falls into the 'must win' category. Argyle are starting to welcome back players after a torrid run of injuries and today it was the turn of Reuben Reid and Josh Simpson, albeit onto the substitutes bench. For the Glovers there are no real standout names other than centre back Darren Ward and fans favourite striker Ryan Bird, who himself started on the bench today.
Referee Charles Breakspear blew his whistle and the match was underway, with Argyle coming out with purpose. Craig Tanner came out determined to prove his worth, as did Oscar Threlkeld who was getting stuck into challenges. Barely three minutes on the clock and the first chance fell the Green Army's way. A great ball out wide on the right from Threlkeld was picked up by Jake Jervis and his fizzing cross found the outstretched leg of Tanner on the edge of the six yard box, but the ball flew agonisingly over Chris Weale's goal! It was the start of a dominant opening period from the Green Army that saw wfforts from Gregg Wylde, Threlkeld, Ryan Brunt and Tanner respectively either well saved by Weale or fly just over the bar. At this stage it was becoming apparent why Yeovil were sitting in the perilous position they were occupying in League 2. Another chance came for Argyle, this time Gary Sawyer sending a whipped cross from the left that Tanner get just underneath with his header and send over the bar. With the nature of football, the Green Army's wastefulness was nearly punished went out of nothing Matthew Dolan sent a swerving twenty five yard effort at goal that pinged back off the crossbar with Luke McCormick well beaten. It proved short respite for the Glovers and not long later and Jervis worked some space on the right, outfoxing Nathan Smith before sending a powerful drive at goal, which Weale did well to punch away. A few minutes more and Brunt was in on the act, cutting inside of Connor Roberts before sending a right foot towards goal that was unfortunately too close to Weale, who gathered comfortably. For the last quarter of an hour of the first half, the game became a bit scrappy before referee Breakspear brought the match to an end for the half time interval.
Derek Adams couldn't have had many problems with a dominant first half display, other than the need to be more clinical with their chances. The second half started in much the same vein as the start of the first half with the Green Army making the early running. Jervis nearly took heed of the need to be more clinical when his brilliant right footed curling effort was expertly saved by the diving Weale. A minute late and a long range Tanner effort was equally well saved by the Glovers keeper. It seemed that the keeper could prove to be Argyle's folly, but then the irony of football hit again. Tanner set his sights from long range again, and perhaps the ball swerved at the last moment, because what seemed like a fairly routine catch was parried by Weale. The big Yeovil keeper fell over and Brunt accepted the belated Christmas present accordingly, reacting quickest and smashing into the back of the net! 1-0 to the Green Army and no more than they deserved. There was still half an hour of the match to see through however so focus was to be important. In a worrying moment shortly after the goal Carl McHugh went down under a heavy challenge from Ward. Thankfully after a few minutes delay he was back to his feet and ready to continue. Both Tanner and Jervis then had chances to seal the points but both of their efforts flew over the bar of Weale's goal. Yeovil did try to press, as teams do, in the final quarter of an hour but really lacked the quality in the final third to trouble the Green army's resolute defence. Adams replaced Tanner with Simpson, and Reid with Wylde to big applause from the crowd after their respective injuries. The Glovers then did fashion a half chance of sorts when Francois Zoko turned inside of Sawyer only to see his right footed cross come shot go well wide of McCormick's left post. A late Ward header flew well over the goal from a Yeovil set piece, but in truth that was all that could be noted of a poor Glovers team and performance. Ben Purrington came on for Brunt for the last few minutes, with the latter receiving a standing ovation! It was much deserved with himself and Threlkeld both stand out performers. Shortly after Breakspear blew his final whistle and Argyle secured the points they richly deserved.
What a great start to the festive period for the Green Army!! Three points and a very solid performance. In light of the recent injury spate, it has been great to see the likes of Threlkeld really develop into a solid and tenacious midfield dynamo. Equally Brunt has grown with confidence as more responsibility has been placed on his shoulders. With players returning from injury, as well as the January transfer window opening after our next game away to Newport County the furture is beginning to brighten again. These facts coupled with both Portsmouth losing away to Leyton Orieny and the York City versus Northampton Town match being clled off means Argyle have made a two point gap at the top of League 2! I'd say that makes for a very Merry Christmas indeed!
Best Player - Oscar Threlkeld
Attendance - 12821
Next Game - 28/12/2015 Newport County (a) (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
www.argyle.life where I am part of a team of writers. Please come along and support the site and its writers. It's a great site with a broad range of opinions and views.
Today's fan is 32 year old Anthony Tucker from St Stephen
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'I have bee an Argyle fan for 30 years'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'I was a mascot at the age of five'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'When we beat QPR 2-0 that won us the Division 2 title!'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Paul Wotton'
Best current Argyle player? 'Three of them. Reuben Reid, Jake Jervis and Graham Carey!'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'Fantastic!'
Season Prediction? 'Top 3'
Prediction for our next match away to Newport County? 'I think we will win 2-0 because we will be keen to get one over on Shez (John Sheridan
No comments:
Post a Comment