Argyle were on an exceptional winning run, going into this top of the table clash, with equally high flying Northampton Town. The Cobblers themselves, battling on two fronts, both for promotion from League 2, and should the get through a replay against Milton Keynes Dons, a lucrative money spinning tie at home to Chelsea in the FA Cup 4th Round. Whilst the Green Army have only the league to focus on, the match on paper at least, provided a mouth watering contest between the division's top two sides. Northampton have had a number of key performers in Lawson D'Ath, striker Marc Richards and shot stopper Adam Smith. Add to that the adversity the team have come through in respect of their earlier in the season financial plight, and it is nothing short of remarkable the position the Cobblers find themselves in. For Argyle, a welcome return to the starting eleven for Reuben Reid. With the recent form of Ryan Brunt, Adams decided on a change of system to accommodate them both. A 4-3-3 system, meaning Jake Jervis joined them in a three pronged attack, with Gregg Wylde and Craig Tanner dropping to the bench and Josh Simpson coming in, in the midfield position.
Referee Keith Stroud blew his whistle and the match got underway. The match started at a fairly even pace, with both sides confidently stroking the ball around in midfield. Early headed chances, from Richards and Simpson respectively, went close but one was well blocked by Zander Diamond, and one flew just over Luke McCormick's crossbar. Reid's presence in attack was certainly proving a focal point, and his hold up play was helping the new system that Adams had introduced. A first effort from Reid, saw the big forward hold off a Diamond challenge before lashing a right shot just wide of Smith's near post. Moments later, and a hooked Gary Sawyer cross from the left, was met by a firm Reid header, that Smith expertly tipped over. D'Ath and John-Joe O'Toole were linking up well in the centre of the park, and it was an O'Toole right foot shot, cutting inside of Curtis Nelson, from twenty yards, that was well held by McCormick, in his bottom left hand corner. It was only to prove a short respite however, as a comedy howler let in Northampton for the opening goal. Kelvin Mellor was put under pressure on the right from D'Ath. He turned back towards goal, and played the ball back to McCormick, who seemingly had plenty of time. Striker James Collins attempted to close McCormick down, and the usually reliable keeper attempted to take him on. Collins pickpocketed the big shot stopper before rolling into an empty net. A calamitous goal to give away in such an important fixture. 1-0 to the Cobblers. Shortly after and the impressive D'Ath had to be replaced with Nicky Adams due to injury. with respect to the Green Army, the response was good, and Brunt almost scored with a flash header from a Jervis corner, only to see the ball drop just wide of Smith's right hand post. Shortly after the referee blew for half time, and Argyle were behind.
With the home fans expecting the Green Army to come out with purpose in the second half, it was actually the Cobblers who decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck. An early Ricky Holmes header just flashing wide of the post. Brunt then had a very speculative left footed effort from outside the box that flew well over. The evening was cold, and the Argyle faithful were becoming restless. The fans were further annoyed when Adams found himself in space on the left hand side. He drove into the box and hit a low drilled left footed effort towards the far corner. McCormick did well to save the ball with his feet. The danger was not over however and barely two minutes later Northampton doubled their lead . A poor Peter Hartley clearance was picked up by O'Toole. He charge into the box, playing a neat one two with Richards, that the latter finished off well, tucking the ball underneath McCormick for 2-0. Two mistakes and two goals against the Green Army. Adams decided to make a couple of changes with Tanner coming on in place of Oscar Threlkeld, and Wylde replacing Reid. Almost immediately Argyle nearly found a goal back. A Tanner cross seemed to hit Brunt on the back of the head and was dropping into the goal. Smith claimed the ball on the line, and despite big protests, the goal was probably, and fairly not given. Following this the match became a bit scrappy, with the Cobblers, rightfully time wasting and Argyle over eager to get back into the game. Adams had a chance to seal the points and make the scoreline slightly flattering, but his left footed effort was just too high of McCormick's crossbar. Just following this, the Green Army got a goal back out of a long ball. This ball was flicked on by Jervis and Brunt skipped round Brendan Moloney before firing a right ball across the six yard box. The pass evaded both Northampton defenders, finding it's way to Wylde at the far post, who slotted it under Smith to halve the deficit. 2-1 and seven minutes left to change the match. The Green Army huffed and puffed for the final few minutes, and despite fairly close headed efforts from both Wylde and Brunt, the elusive goal didn't come. The final whistle sounded, and the Cobblers had taken the spoils.
So after a run of victories, two errors in a tight came meant Argyle's run had come to a close. The defeat brings the Cobblers level on points with the Green Army with a game in hand. Despite losing the match, there were plenty of positives to take from proceedings, namely the return of Reid. this coupled with pre match news of the new signing on loan of Hibernian defender Jordon Forster, and the imminent return of Graham Carey to the match day squad can only be positive. Up next for Argyle is Teddy Sheringham's Stevenage side on Saturday, and hopefully a return to winning ways!
Best Player - Gary Sawyer
Attendance - 9241
Next Game - 16/01/2016 Stevenage (h) (League 2)
As always each match is featured with our Match Day fan feature, which is a short Q and A about Argyle related fodder and something I would like 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 on 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 15 year old Josh Tyler-Williams from Stoke on Trent
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'All my life'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'At home to Peterborough and Paul Wotton got us the winner'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? '3-0 against Exeter last season. Just great to beat them with such confidence and couldn't ask for a better game'
Best all time Argyle player? 'Peter Shilton'
Best current Argyle player? 'Luke McCormick'
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'Quality manager. Great to see a manager who cares about the team and gets results as well. I can't remember a manager so well liked as him for a very long time'
Season Prediction? 'Champions and clear by a minimum of five points'
Prediction for our next match at home to Stevenage? '2-0 Argyle! Although we had a tough game against Northampton and they gave us more than a run for our money, Argyle always come out fighting. Being at home is always a boost ad I think the boys will want to maintain top position. So 2-0 will be a nice solid result in my eyes!'
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