Saturday, 24 September 2011 Npower League Two Plymouth 2-0 Macclesfield FT Goals: Plymouth: Feeney 20 Williams 53 Macclesfield: n/a Plymouth: 23 Cole 02 Berry 05 King 06 Nelson 03 Williams 07 Daley (Griffiths 90+3) 08 Walton 13 Soukouna 20 Hourihane 21 Atkinson 11 Feeney Substitutes 01 Larrieu, 15 Young, 22 Griffiths, 27 Lecointe, 10 Hitchcock Macclesfield: 01 Veiga 03 Tremarco (Daniel 28) 05 Brown 14 Diagne 16 Brisley 24 Hewitt 08 Draper 17 Wedgebury (Chalmers 70) 20 Hamshaw 09 Donnelly 23 Tomlinson (Fairhurst 73) Substitutes 04 Kay, 07 Chalmers, 11 Daniel, 15 Grant, 18 Fairhurst Att: 6,005 First Half: From the kick off Argyle showed an aggressive style of attacking play, the ball went in early and players in the box came close to getting a touch. The Macclesfield defence was strong and almost all balls were cleared to safety. Soon after this Macclesfield went more on the attack, from the view in Lyndhurst there were a few close shaves for Argyle, the ball passing close to Cole's goal-posts on more than one occasion. Then Feeney struck, a free kick taken from right hand side near the box by Hourihane floated towards the box and Feeney dipping his head directed it to the goal, Veiga was unable to reach it and for only the third time this season Home Park erupted in celebration - 1-0. Macclesfield had the best of the play until half time, a few Argyle attacks blocked by Macclesfield's defensive four. Also some good defending fom Argyle's quarter prevented any chance of an equalizer. Second Half: Having enjoyed the banter of a few lads from Brighton at the bar inside I waltzed out to the stand feeling confident as the second half began. Fletcher had opted not to change the team at all during the break which seemed to be the right call as Argyle went searching for the second goal. The inital 8 minutes were based in Midfield, tackles won, fouls given - until the 53rd minute - an awkward tacke by Brisley on Feeney gave Argyle a foul within shooting territory. Walton and Williams waited with the ball as the ref organised the Macclesfield wall. Surprisingly Williams stepped up and shot and what a shot, straight into the corner of the goal, hitting the crossbar on its way there - led to a scuffle as Soukouna nodded it back into the goal, the Macclesfield players complained to the ref that Soukouna was offside - but it didn't matter as the ref clarified with the linesman that Williams's shot had in fact crossed the line anyway. 2-0. Macclesfield had a few attacks after this, the ball flying over the bar from a Daniel header, Tony Diagne also saw an effort from the inside of the box go harmlessly wide. Several more half chances for both teams and a long midfield medley of tackling and accurate passing later and the game ended. Stats: 23 Cole - 7 a good game, claimed a few good balls. 02 Berry - 8 Much better than his performances in the last few matches. Competed well. 05 King - 8 Proved to be a solid and hardworking Centre back. 06 Nelson - 7 not a bad game but not much of him was seen, more comfortable in the Centre back position to the Right back side. 03 Williams - 9 An excellent game, showed the experience and technical awareness that he brings to the team. 07 Daley - 7 Seemed to quiet down a bit second half after a positive start. 08 Walton - 7 As captain he seemed to take the responsibility well, seemed a bit reserved but a decent game non-the-less. 13 Soukouna - 9 As usual a commanding presence from the big CB. 20 Hourihane - 7 A fairly good game, a good setup for Feeney with his cross but a bit lackluster at times. 21 Atkinson - 7 aggravated the Macclesfield defence time and time again. 11 Feeney - 8 First goal for the striker, many more to come I hope - tore about the field and worried the defence most of the game. Substitutes 22 Griffiths - 6 Not in the game enough to impact. MoM: Soukouna Hobo's MoM: Williams, not just for his excellent shot second half. He played well defensively and gave the winger he was marking a tough ride. Berry also gets a mention, he defended the wing well and proved to be a real threat to the Macclesfield back four when moving forward. Summary: The 6,005 attendance did not do justice to the many differing club-colours around the ground. Numerous Brighton fans, some Ipswich, Tottenham and even an Arsenal fan or two! (If there were more I did not see but these fans were sat nearest me in Lyndhurst) - joined the Argyle fans to cheer on the lads. A roar went up from the crowd as the team came out and Fletcher took his seat in the right (from Lyndurst) dugout, looking dapper in a grey-ish brown suit. On the game - despite a few defensive question marks Argyle had a good game, the attacking football was aggressive and the crosses into the box were placed well. A glimmer of hope after several mediocre performances. Well done Fletcher and Ro - lets hope this is the start of something great!
Thanks hobo......informative and a good report.............one thing you forgot...............what brand of chewing gum was the Ref chewing.............very important you know.
Cheers Plymborn - I had no idea the ref was chewing gum. He was however one of the better ref's I have seen at HP this season. Not just saying that cos we won, he was good for the first 70mins then got a bit iffy after that (better than most of them) - Berry's yellow card for a shove when at the other end a Macclesfield CB got a slap on the wrist for taking out Feeney in a worse tackle was a bit wrong but hay hoo.
A bit tongue in cheek......the Ref's chewing gum......I had no idea from NW Kent if he was chewing gum or not. I had to smile when you suggested that the Ref got a bit Iffy after 70 mins..........obviously his chewing gum had lost it's flavour by then. That of course reminds me of Lonnie Donegan and Skiffle....late 1950s {before your time)........One of his hit songs telling us that........."your chewing gum lost it's flavour on the bedpost over night"..........excuse my ramblings.........there was life before the Beatles............Donegan,Tommy Steele and my mate Cliff.
Can't disagree with that hobo including the booking part. Thought the Ref had a quota to fulfill rather than anything nasty to book. We did do well and yes there were a few wince moments but then you are going to get that in any game no matter how well you play. The atmosphere led by the Devonport end and a lot to do with the Brighton contingent was the best I have seen at Home Park in a very long time. Not much to sing about for a long time either I suppose but I hope they keep it up and a few other sections join in. I have read elsewhere some comments like "It was only Macclesfield so don't get carried away". I think those people don't recognise what a momentus game and result this was no matter who the opposition was and I don't subscribe to the Macclesfield were rubbish statement either. I thought they were decent enough and it should not be allowed to lower the result we got.
Sat in block 6 the best part was after the chant "if you love the greens stand up" to see the whole of the Lyndhurst as well as the Devonport stood up - priceless.
Hobo, I attended Home Park in your darkest hour (it is your darkest hour isn't it?). I spoke to fellow Saints, Sheff Utd and Reading fans. There was even a Macclesfield fan in the home end wearing a Green Army scarf.
sa1nts - all the support given by all the attending football fans from up and down the country was really appreciated. We hope you will all be able to join us again. Always welcome at HP! P.s: All the best for the season, hopefully yourselves and Brighton can get to the Premier league - we need more southern teams up there!
