Yeovil Town recorded their first home win as a Championship club in style as they defeated Nottingham Forest at Huish Park thanks to virtuoso displays from Ed Upson and Wayne Hennessey.
Midfielder Upson-who also got the winner when the Glovers beat Millwall on the opening day of the campaign- bagged a first half brace and Hennessey denied Forest's Republic of Ireland striker Simon Cox from the penalty spot and then saved the rebound.
On loan midfielder Nathan Chalobah pulled one back for Forest, but they were unable to find a second as a goalkeeping masterclass from Hennessey before Byron Webster added a second to ensure Gary Johnson's men sealed all three points.
The result boosts the Glovers' survival hopes and moves them onto nine points and up 22nd place. They are also one point behind 21st placed Bolton Wanderers.
Monday 28 October 2013
ARGYLE TO FACE NON-LEAGUE OPPOSITION
For the third year in a row, Plymouth Argyle will be facing non-league opposition in the 1st round of the FA Cup after they were drawn away to Worcester City or Lincoln City.
The Pilgrims haven't won a match in the cup since they beat Hull City in the third round during the 2007-08 season, and they will also hoping it will be a third time lucky for them after losing to Southern League Stourbridge and Dorchester Town, of Conference South, in the last two seasons respectively.
Manager John Sheridan and his assistant Gary Owers will be keen to do well in the competition as they have both appeared in the final of the competition as players with Sheffield Wednesday-in 1993- and Sunderland-in 1992.
Exeter City will also be on their travels as they were drawn away to Peterborough United and Torquay United are the only of the three Devon sides who are beginning their cup campaign with a home tie, as they were paired with League Two high-flyers Rochdale, who are managed by former Argyle defender Keith Hill.
The Pilgrims haven't won a match in the cup since they beat Hull City in the third round during the 2007-08 season, and they will also hoping it will be a third time lucky for them after losing to Southern League Stourbridge and Dorchester Town, of Conference South, in the last two seasons respectively.
Manager John Sheridan and his assistant Gary Owers will be keen to do well in the competition as they have both appeared in the final of the competition as players with Sheffield Wednesday-in 1993- and Sunderland-in 1992.
Exeter City will also be on their travels as they were drawn away to Peterborough United and Torquay United are the only of the three Devon sides who are beginning their cup campaign with a home tie, as they were paired with League Two high-flyers Rochdale, who are managed by former Argyle defender Keith Hill.
Saturday 26 October 2013
CHAPELL HITS FIVE
Torquay United manager Alan Knill is backing winger Jordan Chapell to hit double figures for the Gulls after scoring his fifth goal of the season in their draw against Portsmouth.
Chapell opened the scoring after 17 seconds of the kick-off with the fastest goal scored by any Torquay player and Knill believes that there is more to come from the former Sheffield United starlet.
"We set a target with Jordan at the start of the season and he is well on the way to achieving it," said Knill.
"If players want to develop and want to move on, and wide players especially, they have to chip in with goals and a lot of people look for that first.
"If you can score 10 to 11 goals from a wide position that's what teams higher up are looking for.
"We've set some targets for him and his overall game we think is getting better, every now and again we have to rest him because he is high energy all the time."
Chapell opened the scoring after 17 seconds of the kick-off with the fastest goal scored by any Torquay player and Knill believes that there is more to come from the former Sheffield United starlet.
"We set a target with Jordan at the start of the season and he is well on the way to achieving it," said Knill.
"If players want to develop and want to move on, and wide players especially, they have to chip in with goals and a lot of people look for that first.
"If you can score 10 to 11 goals from a wide position that's what teams higher up are looking for.
"We've set some targets for him and his overall game we think is getting better, every now and again we have to rest him because he is high energy all the time."
Friday 25 October 2013
FACING A FALLEN GIANT
Five years ago Torquay United were playing in the Conference and reached the final of the FA Trophy, whilst Portsmouth were in the Premiership and won the FA Cup.
Tomorrow at Plainmoor, they face each other as equals in League Two for the first time in over 30 years.
The two sides met each other earlier this season in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy when Pompey won 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw during the 90 minutes, and they also played each other in the Worthington Cup with Portsmouth winning 3-0 on aggregate.
Their last League meeting came on October 10th 1980, a game that the Gulls won 2-1 with Les Lawrence and Peter Coffill scoring the decisive goals.
Fast forward back to the present day and both sides' respective managers- Alan Knill and Guy Whittingham- are facing different challenges.
Knill, who succeeded Martin Ling in the close season following a spell as interim manager, is looking to arrest a run of five matches without a win-in the face of injuries problems and financial uncertainties.
The former Bury and Scunthorpe manager is currently without a number of senior players, including goalkeeper Michael Poke, last season's Player of the Year Aaron Downes and summer signing Ben Harding.
He currently has four loan players at the club, including central defender Anthony O'Connor, midfielder Jak McCourt and forwards Ade Azeez and Paul McCallum, who made his debut on Tuesday night after joining from West Ham United.
As well as this, he also recruited French midfielder Damien Mozika who played under him at Bury and Scunthorpe on a short term deal.
Like with many clubs in League Two at the moment, money is tight for the Gulls, which reflected the recent decision by the Gulls' board to make three staff redundant, including Club Secretary Kerry Haggan.
However, a good run in the FA Cup, the first round starts on November 9th, could provide the Gulls with some breathing space.
Pompey boss Guy Whittingham is starting a re-building job as they look to climb their way back up the leagues after a financial meltdown, which has seen them relegated three times in as many seasons.
Now under the ownership of their Supporters' Trust, Pompey are currently unbeaten in the current month of October and have reached the Quarter Finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as the re-building process at Fratton Park continues.
Tomorrow at Plainmoor, they face each other as equals in League Two for the first time in over 30 years.
The two sides met each other earlier this season in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy when Pompey won 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw during the 90 minutes, and they also played each other in the Worthington Cup with Portsmouth winning 3-0 on aggregate.
Their last League meeting came on October 10th 1980, a game that the Gulls won 2-1 with Les Lawrence and Peter Coffill scoring the decisive goals.
Fast forward back to the present day and both sides' respective managers- Alan Knill and Guy Whittingham- are facing different challenges.
Knill, who succeeded Martin Ling in the close season following a spell as interim manager, is looking to arrest a run of five matches without a win-in the face of injuries problems and financial uncertainties.
The former Bury and Scunthorpe manager is currently without a number of senior players, including goalkeeper Michael Poke, last season's Player of the Year Aaron Downes and summer signing Ben Harding.
He currently has four loan players at the club, including central defender Anthony O'Connor, midfielder Jak McCourt and forwards Ade Azeez and Paul McCallum, who made his debut on Tuesday night after joining from West Ham United.
As well as this, he also recruited French midfielder Damien Mozika who played under him at Bury and Scunthorpe on a short term deal.
Like with many clubs in League Two at the moment, money is tight for the Gulls, which reflected the recent decision by the Gulls' board to make three staff redundant, including Club Secretary Kerry Haggan.
However, a good run in the FA Cup, the first round starts on November 9th, could provide the Gulls with some breathing space.
Pompey boss Guy Whittingham is starting a re-building job as they look to climb their way back up the leagues after a financial meltdown, which has seen them relegated three times in as many seasons.
Now under the ownership of their Supporters' Trust, Pompey are currently unbeaten in the current month of October and have reached the Quarter Finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as the re-building process at Fratton Park continues.
Monday 14 October 2013
EX GLOVERS FIND TARGET ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Last Friday's World Cup qualifiers saw two former Yeovil Town loanees score important goals for the Home Nations, which could be of great value to their respective international futures.
Andros Townsend, who appeared 10 times for the Glovers on loan from Tottenham Hotspur during the 2008-09 season, marked his England debut with the Three Lions' third goal in their 4-1 victory over Montenegro.
Should England qualify for the finals in Brazil next summer, there is every chance that Townsend, 22, could be on the plane as part of Roy Hodgson's 23 man squad.
After establishing himself as a regular at Spurs, there is no reason why he can't go on to become a regular for his country as well.
In scoring on his England debut, he emulated another former Yeovil loanee Steven Caulker who also completed that feat when he netted on his first start for Hodgson's men in their 4-2 friendly defeat against Sweden last year.
That appearance remains Caulker's only international cap to date, he also received four for Team GB at last summer's Olympics, but there is no reason to suggest why he and Townsend couldn't one day line-up for the Three Lions together.
Caulker is currently 21-and at the same age Rio Ferdinand had only won seven caps and Sol Campbell had been capped just the once.
Also, at 21-John Terry was still waiting for his first cap, which he didn't received until he turned 22.
Caulker's summer move to Cardiff shouldn't act as hindrance to his long-term prospects as Gary Cahill was transferred by Aston Villa to Bolton, but he is now a regular at Chelsea alongside Terry-and a Champions League winner to boot.
A year before Townsend arrived at Huish Park, Welsh striker Simon Church appeared six times for the Glovers on loan from Reading.
On Friday, he scored Wales' decisive goal in their qualifier with Macedonia, which ensured that they avoided finishing bottom of their group and possibly kept manager Chris Coleman in a job.
The qualifier also marked the final home international for talismanic striker Craig Bellamy, and Church, who is currently plying his trade at Charlton Athletic, could potentially fill the void left by the former Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham forward.
Andros Townsend, who appeared 10 times for the Glovers on loan from Tottenham Hotspur during the 2008-09 season, marked his England debut with the Three Lions' third goal in their 4-1 victory over Montenegro.
Should England qualify for the finals in Brazil next summer, there is every chance that Townsend, 22, could be on the plane as part of Roy Hodgson's 23 man squad.
After establishing himself as a regular at Spurs, there is no reason why he can't go on to become a regular for his country as well.
In scoring on his England debut, he emulated another former Yeovil loanee Steven Caulker who also completed that feat when he netted on his first start for Hodgson's men in their 4-2 friendly defeat against Sweden last year.
That appearance remains Caulker's only international cap to date, he also received four for Team GB at last summer's Olympics, but there is no reason to suggest why he and Townsend couldn't one day line-up for the Three Lions together.
Caulker is currently 21-and at the same age Rio Ferdinand had only won seven caps and Sol Campbell had been capped just the once.
Also, at 21-John Terry was still waiting for his first cap, which he didn't received until he turned 22.
Caulker's summer move to Cardiff shouldn't act as hindrance to his long-term prospects as Gary Cahill was transferred by Aston Villa to Bolton, but he is now a regular at Chelsea alongside Terry-and a Champions League winner to boot.
A year before Townsend arrived at Huish Park, Welsh striker Simon Church appeared six times for the Glovers on loan from Reading.
On Friday, he scored Wales' decisive goal in their qualifier with Macedonia, which ensured that they avoided finishing bottom of their group and possibly kept manager Chris Coleman in a job.
The qualifier also marked the final home international for talismanic striker Craig Bellamy, and Church, who is currently plying his trade at Charlton Athletic, could potentially fill the void left by the former Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham forward.
Thursday 10 October 2013
LET BATTLE COMMENCE
This Saturday, the naval cities of Plymouth and Portsmouth go head-to-head as Plymouth Argyle entertain Portsmouth for the first 'Dockyard Derby' in the league in over 20 years.
Their last meeting was on New Years' Day 1992 when the Pilgrims won 3-2 with goals from Robbie Turner, Dwight Marshall and Andy 'Jock' Morrison, whilst Mark Chamberlain, the father of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and future England midfielder Darren Anderton replied for Pompey.
Since then, they have meet three times in very different circumstances.
The first time came in the 1998-99 season, when they faced each other over two legs in a Worthington Cup first round tie, which Pompey won 6-3 on aggregate.
During the 2007-08 season, they met at Fratton Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup. By this time, Pompey were an established Premiership side and Argyle were in the Championship.
Despite the Pilgrims taking an early lead through Chris Clark, Pompey hit back with goals from Lassana Diarra and Niko Krancjar as they secured a 2-1 win as they booked their place in the next round, before eventually going on to win the cup after beating Cardiff City in the final.
The most recent meeting between the two sides came in the first round of the Capital One Cup, when Argyle now back in League Two, after a lengthy spell in Administration, faced what was a virtual Pompey youth side as they were in Administration themselves.
Goals from Wolves loanee, Johnny Gorman, Paris Cowan-Hall and Nick Chadwick booked the Pilgrims' place in the second round, where they were beaten on penalties by Burnley.
With Argyle and Pompey currently 17th and 15th in the League Two table, respective managers John Sheridan and Guy Whittingham will both be seeing Saturday's clash, which is being televised on Sky Sports, as an opportunity to kick-start their individual seasons.
Their last meeting was on New Years' Day 1992 when the Pilgrims won 3-2 with goals from Robbie Turner, Dwight Marshall and Andy 'Jock' Morrison, whilst Mark Chamberlain, the father of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and future England midfielder Darren Anderton replied for Pompey.
Since then, they have meet three times in very different circumstances.
The first time came in the 1998-99 season, when they faced each other over two legs in a Worthington Cup first round tie, which Pompey won 6-3 on aggregate.
During the 2007-08 season, they met at Fratton Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup. By this time, Pompey were an established Premiership side and Argyle were in the Championship.
Despite the Pilgrims taking an early lead through Chris Clark, Pompey hit back with goals from Lassana Diarra and Niko Krancjar as they secured a 2-1 win as they booked their place in the next round, before eventually going on to win the cup after beating Cardiff City in the final.
The most recent meeting between the two sides came in the first round of the Capital One Cup, when Argyle now back in League Two, after a lengthy spell in Administration, faced what was a virtual Pompey youth side as they were in Administration themselves.
Goals from Wolves loanee, Johnny Gorman, Paris Cowan-Hall and Nick Chadwick booked the Pilgrims' place in the second round, where they were beaten on penalties by Burnley.
With Argyle and Pompey currently 17th and 15th in the League Two table, respective managers John Sheridan and Guy Whittingham will both be seeing Saturday's clash, which is being televised on Sky Sports, as an opportunity to kick-start their individual seasons.
Saturday 5 October 2013
WHEN MANCHESTER UNITED CAME TO HOME PARK
It is a commonly held view that the Exeter Chiefs' recent exploits in Rugby Union's Heineken Cup are the only major European campaigns with links to Devon since the Spanish Armada.
Wrong.
On October 5th 1977, Plymouth Argyle's Home Park ground hosted a European Cup Winners' Cup first round tie between Manchester United and St Etienne in the only competitive European football match to be played in England to the west of Southampton.
The first leg of the tie was played on Wednesday September 1977, in France, and was marred by crowd trouble 45 minutes before the kick-off of the match, which ended 1-1.
As an initial punishment, the Red Devils were banned from the competition and St Etienne were awarded a bye into the second round.
However, United appealed against the ban and were later re-instated in the competition on one condition: that the second leg of the tie was played at a ground 200 miles or more from Old Trafford.
Keen to avoid a repeat of the trouble that had occurred in the first meeting, the Red Devils' board were keen to seek out a ground in a remote location, which ticketless fans would think twice about travelling to.
In the end they finally plumped on Plymouth Argyle's Home Park, the most southerly and westerly ground in the Football League, as their chosen location.
At that time Argyle were managed by Mike Kelly and had just been relegated to the 'old' Third Division.
So keen the Red Devils were to avoid any crowd trouble that the Pilgrims were even put in charge of the distribution and sale of the match tickets.
As part of their distribution plans, the Pilgrims introduced a scheme whereby any fans who attended their league fixture on October 1st 1977 against Gillingham would be entitled to a voucher that would enable the holder to buy two tickets for the match.
With neither side being able to claim home advantage, St Etienne made a promising start to the match as they looked to involve their French international playmaker Dominque Rocheteau at every opportunity.
However, United grew in confidence as the half wore on and took the lead on 33 minutes when Stuart Pearson connected with a Steve Coppell cross to give the Red Devils a 2-1 lead on aggregate.
In the 65th minute, Coppell went from being provider to scorer when he slotted home after latching onto a long, inch-perfect pass from Arthur Albiston to give United a 2-0 win on the night and a 3-1 victory on aggregate.
Whilst Manchester United bowed out of the competition in the next round against Porto, the official attendance of 31,634 the potential of football as a spectator sport in the South West.
Only Argyle's 1984 FA Cup Quarter Final against Derby County, which attracted a crowd of 34,365, has surpassed the crowd figure for the visit of the Red Devils.
The Manchester United side that played against St Etienne at Home Park: (4-4-2)
Alex Stepney, Jimmy Nicholl, Arthur Albiston, Sammy McIlroy (Ashley Grimes), Brian Greenhoff, Martin Buchan, Steve Coppell, Jimmy Greenhoff, Stuart Pearson (Chris McGrath), Lou Macari, Gordon Hill
Footnote:
In May 2012, two of that Manchester United side who played at Home Park that night-Arthur Albiston and Sammy McIlroy- returned to Home Park to play a team of Plymouth Argyle legends in a match organised by the Green Taverners to help to raise funds for the club's staff who went without pay whilst Argyle were in Administration.
During the period in between, Jimmy Nicholl, Steve Coppell and Lou Macari all returned to Home Park as managers of Millwall, Crystal Palace and Stoke City respectively.
Wrong.
On October 5th 1977, Plymouth Argyle's Home Park ground hosted a European Cup Winners' Cup first round tie between Manchester United and St Etienne in the only competitive European football match to be played in England to the west of Southampton.
The first leg of the tie was played on Wednesday September 1977, in France, and was marred by crowd trouble 45 minutes before the kick-off of the match, which ended 1-1.
As an initial punishment, the Red Devils were banned from the competition and St Etienne were awarded a bye into the second round.
However, United appealed against the ban and were later re-instated in the competition on one condition: that the second leg of the tie was played at a ground 200 miles or more from Old Trafford.
Keen to avoid a repeat of the trouble that had occurred in the first meeting, the Red Devils' board were keen to seek out a ground in a remote location, which ticketless fans would think twice about travelling to.
In the end they finally plumped on Plymouth Argyle's Home Park, the most southerly and westerly ground in the Football League, as their chosen location.
At that time Argyle were managed by Mike Kelly and had just been relegated to the 'old' Third Division.
So keen the Red Devils were to avoid any crowd trouble that the Pilgrims were even put in charge of the distribution and sale of the match tickets.
As part of their distribution plans, the Pilgrims introduced a scheme whereby any fans who attended their league fixture on October 1st 1977 against Gillingham would be entitled to a voucher that would enable the holder to buy two tickets for the match.
With neither side being able to claim home advantage, St Etienne made a promising start to the match as they looked to involve their French international playmaker Dominque Rocheteau at every opportunity.
However, United grew in confidence as the half wore on and took the lead on 33 minutes when Stuart Pearson connected with a Steve Coppell cross to give the Red Devils a 2-1 lead on aggregate.
In the 65th minute, Coppell went from being provider to scorer when he slotted home after latching onto a long, inch-perfect pass from Arthur Albiston to give United a 2-0 win on the night and a 3-1 victory on aggregate.
Whilst Manchester United bowed out of the competition in the next round against Porto, the official attendance of 31,634 the potential of football as a spectator sport in the South West.
Only Argyle's 1984 FA Cup Quarter Final against Derby County, which attracted a crowd of 34,365, has surpassed the crowd figure for the visit of the Red Devils.
The Manchester United side that played against St Etienne at Home Park: (4-4-2)
Alex Stepney, Jimmy Nicholl, Arthur Albiston, Sammy McIlroy (Ashley Grimes), Brian Greenhoff, Martin Buchan, Steve Coppell, Jimmy Greenhoff, Stuart Pearson (Chris McGrath), Lou Macari, Gordon Hill
Footnote:
In May 2012, two of that Manchester United side who played at Home Park that night-Arthur Albiston and Sammy McIlroy- returned to Home Park to play a team of Plymouth Argyle legends in a match organised by the Green Taverners to help to raise funds for the club's staff who went without pay whilst Argyle were in Administration.
During the period in between, Jimmy Nicholl, Steve Coppell and Lou Macari all returned to Home Park as managers of Millwall, Crystal Palace and Stoke City respectively.
GRECIANS WIN THE FIRST OF SIX
Exeter City claimed the three points in the first of the 2013-14 season's six Devon derbies thanks to two late goals from Alan Gow and Scott Bennett.
Aaron Davies had given the Grecians the lead before Luke Young equalised with a free-kick, but former Pilgrim Gow and Bennett, who netted twice last week against Fleetwood, struck for the Grecians in the last ten minutes of the match to wrap up all three points.
The win represents an improvement for the Grecians as they failed to record wins against the Pilgrims, Torquay or Bristol Rovers last season.
However,in the current campaign, Exeter have now beaten two of those teams as they defeated Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the season.
Aaron Davies had given the Grecians the lead before Luke Young equalised with a free-kick, but former Pilgrim Gow and Bennett, who netted twice last week against Fleetwood, struck for the Grecians in the last ten minutes of the match to wrap up all three points.
The win represents an improvement for the Grecians as they failed to record wins against the Pilgrims, Torquay or Bristol Rovers last season.
However,in the current campaign, Exeter have now beaten two of those teams as they defeated Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the season.
Thursday 3 October 2013
THE FIRST OF THE SEASON
The first Devon derby of the 2013-14 season between Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle will be the third meeting between the two sides in the space of a year, and promises to be as keenly contested as the other two.
Their first encounter, last December, at St James Park ended in a 1-1 draw with Liam Sercombe and Joe Lennox finding the score sheet for the Grecians and the Pilgrims respectively.
Three months later-in what was the 60th league meeting between the two sides- Argyle came out on top thanks to a first half injury time winner from on-loan winger Jason Banton, which boosted the Pilgrims' survival hopes and dented Exeter's Play-Off hopes.
It also helped Banton to secure the Npower League Two Player of the Month award for March 2013, as well as the Manager of the Month prize for Argyle boss John Sheridan.
On Saturday, the Grecians will be looking to continue their impressive early season form and a home win over their fierce local rivals would be the perfect way to follow up their 2-1 away last week against high flying Fleetwood Town.
Argyle, on the other hand, are heading into the match looking for a performance to kick-start their league campaign and a timely boost ahead of their first league encounter in over 20 years with Portsmouth next weekend, which is being broadcasted live on Sky Sports.
With the Grecians in sixth place in the League Two table and the Pilgrims in 15th place, recent form would indicate that on current form the Grecians would be favourites.
However, in local derbies form can often disappear out of the window.
Their first encounter, last December, at St James Park ended in a 1-1 draw with Liam Sercombe and Joe Lennox finding the score sheet for the Grecians and the Pilgrims respectively.
Three months later-in what was the 60th league meeting between the two sides- Argyle came out on top thanks to a first half injury time winner from on-loan winger Jason Banton, which boosted the Pilgrims' survival hopes and dented Exeter's Play-Off hopes.
It also helped Banton to secure the Npower League Two Player of the Month award for March 2013, as well as the Manager of the Month prize for Argyle boss John Sheridan.
On Saturday, the Grecians will be looking to continue their impressive early season form and a home win over their fierce local rivals would be the perfect way to follow up their 2-1 away last week against high flying Fleetwood Town.
Argyle, on the other hand, are heading into the match looking for a performance to kick-start their league campaign and a timely boost ahead of their first league encounter in over 20 years with Portsmouth next weekend, which is being broadcasted live on Sky Sports.
With the Grecians in sixth place in the League Two table and the Pilgrims in 15th place, recent form would indicate that on current form the Grecians would be favourites.
However, in local derbies form can often disappear out of the window.
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