Unfortunately Bazza, who writes our brilliant “A View From the South” match reports, couldn’t make the game yesterday. However I did. While I don’t deliberately want to copy Bazza’s excellent reviews, I thought, (or at least hoped), that our readers would like my version sort of following his pattern.
Living in Okehampton, Plymouth and Exeter are my nearest grounds. Got to be honest, I have always had a soft spot for Argyle. In the 80’s when Jim Smith was our manager, I used to travel up from Plymouth, where I lived at the time, for our home games. When we were away, I’d watch Argyle. This was the old 3rd division with crowds of about 5000. Anyway, no sentimentality today!
The morning started with breakfast at The London Inn Okehampton, where I live, with our Veterans breakfast club. I had a large bacon bap with black pudding and brown sauce. Then a bottle of port appeared, well it is Christmas! Thankfully I was getting the train not driving. Cheers!
I got the 11.27 from Okehampton to Exeter and then the 12.15 to Plymouth. We arrived a few minutes late. I walked from the station with the intention of meeting Nat, someone who has written for J&S in the past – but has been a friend for many years. However the Britannia was full. Thankfully Nat appeared just after I arrived. We walked to Stoke Village, a part of Plymouth, and had a pint there. I also had a pasty.
We made our way to Home Park, and after having another pint – went to our seats. This was a sell out for both sides. The Argyle fans were in good voice, but Blues fans responded.
We were unchanged after the recent narrow defeat to Leicester. I think most fans have seen the improvement of the side over the last couple games, and there was a belief that we could get 3 points from Home Park.
We started the game brightly with Stansfield, James and Dembele all causing the Argyle defence issues. However after a few minutes, Stansfield collided with Lee Buchanan. Both players were on the ground for a while, however Lee was clearly hurt. He was eventually taken off the pitch on a stretcher. Credit to the Argyle fans who joined in with the Blues fans clapping him. Rooney confirmed after the game that the doctors decided that he had to come off, but that he’s ok. Not sure we’ll see him against Stoke though. Longelo was introduced to replace him.
On 15 minutes, shortly after the injury, we won a corner. Bacuna delivered it and Stansfield headed it home. The players celebrated in front of the Devonport End and the home fans. It was clear that they were upset, and it turned out that Stansfield revealed a T Shirt which said “Once a Red Always a Red!” There is intense rivalry between Exeter and Plymouth, and that would definitely riled them. Apparently a number of objects were thrown. While I don’t condone that, Stansfield was a bit daft doing it. Rooney said afterwards that he intended talking to him and apparently apologised to Neil Dwesnip the stand in manager after Shumacher left the club last week to join Stoke. Jay’s dad of course played for Exeter and was a very popular player, sadly he succumbed to cancer. Apparently there was a small section Argyle fans who sang a derogatory song about him in the past. If that was true, that could have been Jay’s reason. Nonetheless, probably better to take the moral high ground!
Stansfield had another chance shortly later when an angled shot from the right was well saved. A few minutes later we should have been 2-0 up but Roberts put it wide when he should have scored. This came from another corner.
Argyle had a couple of chances without looking particularly dangerous, although Sanderson stopped a good chance for the with a brilliant sliding tackle.
Another chance fell to Stansfield after a brilliant cross from Bacuna, but his shot went wide. However we did go two up shortly after that when James hit a shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
We were totally in control and really should have been at least 3 up, and typical Blues – were made to pay for it.
Argyle pulled a goal back on half time when Sanderson made a mess of clearing the ball and Edwards put it away with Ruddy wrong footed. It looked very poor from our position, and gave Argyle the boost they needed. After the injury, there was 8 minutes added and Argyle were now looking dangerous, and Ruddy had to pull off a good save to keep it at 2-1.
Half time, required a pint and a chunky Kit Kat. While I was queuing, I bumped into Davo. We both felt we were the better side and that Argyle were there for the taking.
However the second half started in a bad way for us. Bielik, who had played well in the middle, was sent off. Now I didn’t see the challenge live as I was just getting to my seat, but having seen it again – it wasn’t a red. He did go in with both feet, but it was a good sliding tackle. He clearly gets the ball. I’m convinced that the referee only gave it because of the Argyle players. I really hope we appeal it.
I was gutted, because Argyle are good going forward, and thought they would win it now. Amazingly though, we went further ahead when Argyle’s defensive frailties were shown up again. Stansfield beat the offside and broke down the right his cross was met by Bacuna who scored just after the hour.
However it was always going to be difficult to hold on for virtually half a game, and Argyle reduced the score just a few minutes later. It was now all Argyle. Rooney made changes to try and provide new legs. Miyoshi had a good break after he was introduced, but wasn’t able to get his shot away. Sadly there was little opportunity for us after Stansfield, Dembele and Bacuna went off.
Just a few minutes from the end the inevitable happened when Argyle equalised. We were now really hanging on, however were able to hold on for the point. I would have took that before, but it felt like a lost opportunity.
That said, it was another good performance, and without the red, I’m convinced we would have won. There were plenty of positives. We looked good on the break and our passing is improving all the time. Dembele, Sunijc, Stansfield, James, and Sanderson all had 80% plus passing completion stats and Beilik was 100.
Despite his mistake, I thought that Sanderson played well and he’s beginning to look more like the player we have seen in the past. On the whole we defended well, but were always up against it with a player down. Finally we’re scoring goals. The pace of Dembele and Stansfield with support from James and Bacuna, we’re a threat now.
I’m not going to do players scores however do want to mention the referee. We all know it’s a difficult job, but he really did his best to spoil the game. I had a lift home with a mate who’s an Argyle season ticket holder. He agreed that he was poor for both sides. He was inconsistent throughout the game. However I guess it’s what we have come to expect in this division.
The fans were terrific, it was nice to meet some other guys who also live in the South West. On that note, I’d like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Finally despite us not winning, I enjoyed the game and I believe that Rooney IS turning it round. Bring on Stoke!
Brilliant report Kev! Always enjoy reading the views of others. So good to hear about the whole day holistically since the food, drink sights and sounds are all part of the experience I feel. Well done mate. I wish the boys could have delivered the win but a point is a point which is better than none at all.
I remember the good old days when you had to kick an opponent for it to be a foul, not win the ball and have the opponent trip over a leg that was already there and then roll round like he had been shot. Appalling decision, and as I have just seen, backed up by whoever looked at our appeal, but the football authorities always like to back the refs, no matter how stupid their decision is. Strange how Leicester got away with a clear red and a clear second yellow not being given against us.
A great read, Kev
Good to see some friends of Joys too. Wishing those unwell a swift recovery.
Total agreement on the ref card, sad to see the FA gave backed their man and it won’t be rescinded. Also agree that Rooney turning things around. Not the immediate boost we all hoped for but a Christmas present? Stansfield and Bacuna still doing the business, Roberts thriving under the new boss. As for Jay’s shirt, perhaps he could have saved it for after the match and saved a booking? Makes you wonder if that could’ve cost us with Bielik when the ref made the decision?
KRO and Merry Christmas.