Argyle exit the cup after a game that they could have and probably should have won, and that had everything, goals,missed penalty and a sending off. Vassell made his first start up front with Reid with Berry replacing Blanchard at RB and Argyle made the perfect start by going 1 up in 2 mins, not sure if the keeper made a mistake of whether gurierri nipped in in front of him, needless to say the ball ended up in the net and the sizable(6500) green army started to relax. First half was entertaining and the greens fashioned a number of good chances that we failed to convert- mainly due to lack of shooting ability. PV hit back with the usual decent finishing and helped by our indifferent defending. Captain Connor struck back with deflected shot and at half time everything was in good order if not exactly comfortable. On the plus side the PV defence was very shaky and both Reid and hourahane carved their central defender apart on at least 3 occasions. For some reason we came out after half time looking a bit unsure, sat back and invited pressure. At 2-1 down it felt very much like 'the next goal wins' and sure enough PV soon leveled and then went 3-2 ahead.Both goals were again poorly defended and as usual Cole was rooted to the spot and just watched the ball go past him. Not saying that Luke would have saved either of them but at least he would have challenged for the crosses and might just have put their attacker off. With 15 mins to go Argyle started playing again and were soon rewarded with a penalty after Connor was taken down and PV were also reduced to ten men. Ruben hit the penalty well enough but the keeper guessed correctly and the ball looped over the bar off the keepers hand. Not surprisingly lots of timewasting followed but there was still time to level the match when the ball broke to Allessandra but he manged to miss an open goal for the second match in a row. Observations- Not the best game from Purrington, Reid did well in small doses but again looked lazy at times and spent much of the match moaning when the ref didn't give him a decision. Vassell was disappointing and didn't add a lot. Berry off with an injury at half time and although I like Blanchard he has no pace at all. Sorry but Cole is second best to Luke in every area of the goalkeepers craft. Captain Hourihane was by some distance the best player on the park and was in attacking mode, but some reason the sponsors MOTM went to Allessandra. Port Vale were far from impressive and if that is the standard of L1 then we would have no problem operating in that league. A disappointing result especially when we should have done so much better but once again the players gave it everything- oh well , back to concentrating on the league!
Cheers for that lyndhurst. Bit disappointed to be honest but then again at least this season wasn;t a complete waste in a cup competition.
Thanks Lyndhurst always good to read your report..At least Argyle made some money from their Cup run.. By the way did you keep dry ?
Thanks Lyndhurst for your report.....disappointing result,we seem to have had enough opportunities to of won this one.....great start but couldn't find the killer finish to hit them when they where wobbling. Although Banton will be an asset when match fit we are still lacking a striker that can become a partner for Reid. Concentrate on the league now and try for the play-offs....it is possible if Sheridan can bring in the right two players to strengthen the team. Was Purrington showing signs that he is being played too often......he is only a seventeen year old and shouldn't be over-played....just a thought
An interesting contrast... I work with one long term Argyle fan and one who supports a Northern club, who's been a regular attendee at Home Park since his arrival here. Both went to the game last night. The former came in saying it was close, could have gone either way, which is in line with Lyndhurst's report. The latter said we were robbed and were the better side. Maybe that's just over enthusiasm on his part or maybe we're better than we fans think we are after years of disappointment! One thing's for sure: we'd have lost 2 or 3 nil a year ago or 2 years ago or....
We certainly have made progress this season.....now if Sheridan could just find two quality players in this window to bolster the defence and attack....we just might have a chance of the play-offs........how will we respond at Rochdale on Saturday....if we get something out of that we could get optimistic.
We have improved of that there is no doubt. It isn't massive improvement but you don't have to improve a lot in this league to turn your fortunes around. I haven't missed many games in the last few seasons. Generally it is right to say that previously we would have been losing these games heavily and now it is far closer. We are bound to still lose games and especially those we are expected to lose like a league above team going well there or top of our league games. We play Rochdale on Saturday I think, how many really expect a winning result? Never mind games recently against others but just in this one. I would take a draw right now if offered and think that was a decent result.
Yes managed to keep dry BC - safe in row Q but it was particularly wet rain. Purrington didn't play too badly sensible , I guess he has done so well that our expectations are high-he just seemed not as assured as recently almost as if the FA cup meant more to him than just another league game and he was a bit nervous.....and you are correct he is only 17 so perhaps we shouldn't be too critical.. An interesting view non distant- not sure we were robbed as PV hit the post and also went very close a couple of times without really forcing a save out of Cole, however, I don't think they would have had many complaints had the result been the other way round. I just thought it was two good entertaining games between two fairly equally matched sides that could have gone either way. As disappointing as it was, I think the main thing is that from this and other recent matches the team now know they can compete with anyone in L2 so the play offs remain a real possibility. Not expecting anything on Saturday as although the team look pretty fit and have learn't how to keep going until the end , they seem to have had a lot of physically and mentally exhausting games recently. I'm knackered just watching them! For me the biggest improvement is the players obvious believe that they can win every match, so somebody must be doing something right! Sure there will be plenty of setbacks but the future is (relatively) bright.
It wasn't my opinion Lyndhurst but as a neutral, my colleague has been quite impressed with what he's seen at Home Park. All I can say is that it's a good job he wasn't here last year....
