Town Sink Poor Pilgrims
Sometimes, adversity becomes the mother of invention, and Town’s familiarly dire list of injuries finally forced Lee Grant to make changes that have seemed glaringly obvious for weeks — particularly playing two men up front. After a mensis horribilis in October, an early winter revival may have begun.
It has helped enormously that the first fixtures of the month have been against deliberately weakened opponents in Mansfield, and a Plymouth side whose performance was an insult to the 1,200 Devonians who travelled a long way to witness it.
At least three of Grant’s starting choices were players with no obvious future at the club just a few short weeks ago: the previously less-than-lethal front two and the permanently fragile Balker, while the squad on duty contained a majority from last season’s miserable campaign.
Town, perhaps carrying some momentum from the relatively straightforward dismissal of Mansfield in the Vertu Cup days previously, began on the front foot and forced some early corners. However, it was the visitors who created the first chance of the game, as the recalled Goodman pushed out a decent effort from 25 yards.
That proved to be the high point of the half for the Pilgrims, as they deteriorated precipitously thereafter — posing no threat while appearing increasingly vulnerable to a Town side that hit their straps around the half-hour mark, penning the visitors into a desperate and creaking rearguard action which finally broke after incessant pressure.
Had Town failed to convert their dominance into a half-time lead, scrutiny might have fallen on Wiles, who had two particularly woeful efforts when in decent positions, while Hazard in the Argyle goal made two excellent saves from headers by Feeney and Radulovic.
Harness, looking far more comfortable and creative centrally, saw a good effort scream over the bar before Wiles — after an incisive ball from Harness — and the commendably combative Charles opened up the visiting defence with simple passing, before the latter unselfishly fed Radulovic for an easy but well-worked opener.
A single-goal lead was the least Town deserved for a dominant performance exploiting Plymouth’s nervous lack of confidence.
Balker and the impressive Feeney formed an immediate understanding at the back; Sørensen’s improved form this season continued, and while the Roosken–Miller partnership on the left rather flattered to deceive, the new twin-striker force persistently hassled the visitors into errors and effectively planted doubts.
It was a little concerning that the second half began with Town appearing more conservative than necessary against meagre opponents, but that period quickly passed as the hosts slowly got back into their stride.
A decent opening was created for the much-improved Ledson, but the captain’s effort was skied high before a clever interchange involving Wiles and Charles fell to Miller, whose shot was blocked.
Ashia replaced Miller — who is yet to return to his pre-injury form — and caused multiple problems for the Devon side down the left, including winning the corner from which a flick-on by Radulovic worked its way to Charles, who bagged a thoroughly deserved goal to add to his midweek brace.
The striker’s hushing of the crowd after months of mediocrity was ill-judged, but there is at least the possibility that his Huddersfield career could turn around from this point — though the quality of opposition in the games where he has finally translated work rate into tangible achievement rather urges caution.
Plymouth may have reason to be aggrieved at card-happy referee Stockbridge for Town’s third. Having given them a very soft free kick for a Harness challenge, a more obvious foul on the free kick’s recipient was let go, allowing Charles to feed Ashia — whose now-trademark right-foot curler inevitably found the back of the net with Argyle’s keeper rooted.
Raw as he is — and given that passing to him with his back to goal is generally a fruitless exercise — give him some green space to run into and he can cause havoc. In his short time on the pitch, he had three shots: one which led to the corner for the second, and one which buried the opponent at 3–0.
A late consolation by Tolaj was disappointing but of little consequence.
With another enforced break next weekend, Town have the chance to return a couple of others to fitness (Castledine’s surprise appearance on the bench after a very quick recovery is perhaps the only positive injury news in at least two seasons) and build on this week’s confidence-building wins.
Grant should reflect on the good fortune of having the right decisions rather forced upon him — and against vulnerable opponents — but he shouldn’t be begrudged the opportunity to build on these victories and create the kind of momentum that could rip through this mediocre league.
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