After losing their first league encounter with Torquay United in nearly 40 years and knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Stourbridge, Plymouth Argyle gave their fans something to shout about by recording a comprehensive victory over Northampton Town.
A Simon Walton penalty set the Pilgrims on their way before Nick Chadwick, who was marking his return to Home Park after joining on loan from Stockport County, added a second. Hull City loanee Will Atkinson then scored his fourth of the season before Ashley Hemmings marked his debut, after joining on loan from Wolves, with a goal. Former Torquay United striker Adebayo Akinfenwa added a late consolation for the Cobblers.
Other new faces on show for Argyle included experienced centre back Darren Purse who brought more stability to the Pilgrims backline after joining on loan from Championship side Millwall. He was partnered in the centre of defence by Frenchman Maxim Blanchard who was making his debut after joining the Pilgrims on a free transfer.
Chadwick's ninth minute strike is his 12th goal in his two spells with the Pilgrims, after scoring 11 times in 83 appearances, during his previous spell at Home Park between 2005 and 2008. He also provided the assist for Hemmings' debut effort on 44 minutes.
One strength that both Purse and Chadwick brought to the Pilgrims' side is that they both arrived at Home Park match fit. Purse had recently completed a five match loan spell at Yeovil Town and Chadwick has been playing regularly in the Blue Square Premier for Stockport County this season.
As well as the new boys giving a good account of themselves, two of the more established members of Carl Fletcher's squad, Simon Walton and Will Atkinson, received recognition for their performances by being named in the League Two Team of the Week.
Following their break from action due to their early exit from the FA Cup, Argyle face matches against their fellow strugglers Bradford City and Hereford United in quick succession.
If they can take their performance against the Cobblers into those two games, they will give their chances of staying up a major boost.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
With Christmas just around the corner, we will now take a look at some of the football books currently available in any good high street bookshop or online with links with football in the South West.
One book likely to receive plenty of interest is All Change at Old Trafford, the long awaited autobiography of former Torquay United and Manchester United manager Frank O'Farrell.
The book charts the story of how O'Farrell came to manage the Red Devils in the post-Matt Busby era after winning promotion at Plainmoor earlier in his career. It is of particular interest with regards to the succession of Busby as it is likely that the Old Trafford hierarchy will be looking for Sir Alex Ferguson's successor in the next few years.
Plymouth Argyle fans with memories of seeing Andy 'Jock' Morrison in action will no doubt be interested in reading his autobiography, The Good, the Mad and the Ugly, the Andy Morrison Story, which charts his battles with alcoholism as well as the early years of his professional career at Home Park.
Another book which is currentlty available is Where's Your Caravan, the life story of ex Argyle and Torquay United midfielder Chris Hargreaves. The book, which is the second book to be written by Chris following the publication of his Herald Express blog, follows a chronological narrative and charts his days as a young hopeful with Grimsby Town to when he skippered the Gulls to promotion back to the Football League at the twilight of his career.
One book likely to receive plenty of interest is All Change at Old Trafford, the long awaited autobiography of former Torquay United and Manchester United manager Frank O'Farrell.
The book charts the story of how O'Farrell came to manage the Red Devils in the post-Matt Busby era after winning promotion at Plainmoor earlier in his career. It is of particular interest with regards to the succession of Busby as it is likely that the Old Trafford hierarchy will be looking for Sir Alex Ferguson's successor in the next few years.
Plymouth Argyle fans with memories of seeing Andy 'Jock' Morrison in action will no doubt be interested in reading his autobiography, The Good, the Mad and the Ugly, the Andy Morrison Story, which charts his battles with alcoholism as well as the early years of his professional career at Home Park.
Another book which is currentlty available is Where's Your Caravan, the life story of ex Argyle and Torquay United midfielder Chris Hargreaves. The book, which is the second book to be written by Chris following the publication of his Herald Express blog, follows a chronological narrative and charts his days as a young hopeful with Grimsby Town to when he skippered the Gulls to promotion back to the Football League at the twilight of his career.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
SOUTH WEST CLUBS IN LOAN DEADLINE BUSINESS
Today sees the closing of the window for completing loan signings and free transfers before the transfer window reopens in January.
All four South West league sides have been involved in transfer window activity, making last minute addition to their squads.
Following the loan acquisition of experienced central defender Darren Purse, Plymouth Argyle have added former striker Nick Chadwick, who scored 11 goals in 83 games for them between 2005 and 2008, on a short term deal to boost their attacking options and have borrowed Ashley Hemmings, who had another loan spell in Devon last season with Torquay United, from Wolves.
Exeter City have drafted in wide man Chris Hackett on loan from Millwall. Hackett has featured in 143 games for the Lions, but hasn't appeared for them this season since their Carling Cup tie with Morecambe.
Yeovil Town have recruited goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin on loan from from Watford until January 3rd. Dublin-born Gilmartin, who has made three appearances for the Hornets this season, joins Watford team-mate Gavin Massey who is also on loan at Huish Park.
Martin Ling has also made a solitary addition to his Torquay United squad with the loan signing of central defender Tom Aldred as cover for the injured Brian Saah.
All four South West league sides have been involved in transfer window activity, making last minute addition to their squads.
Following the loan acquisition of experienced central defender Darren Purse, Plymouth Argyle have added former striker Nick Chadwick, who scored 11 goals in 83 games for them between 2005 and 2008, on a short term deal to boost their attacking options and have borrowed Ashley Hemmings, who had another loan spell in Devon last season with Torquay United, from Wolves.
Exeter City have drafted in wide man Chris Hackett on loan from Millwall. Hackett has featured in 143 games for the Lions, but hasn't appeared for them this season since their Carling Cup tie with Morecambe.
Yeovil Town have recruited goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin on loan from from Watford until January 3rd. Dublin-born Gilmartin, who has made three appearances for the Hornets this season, joins Watford team-mate Gavin Massey who is also on loan at Huish Park.
Martin Ling has also made a solitary addition to his Torquay United squad with the loan signing of central defender Tom Aldred as cover for the injured Brian Saah.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
ARGYLE CUP DREAM SHATTERED BY GLASSBOYS
Plymouth Argyle's involvement in this year's FA Cup came to an end as they lost their replay against Southern Premier side Stourbridge.
Goals from Paul McCone and Sean Evans secured the Glassboys' place in the second round of the Cup, for the first time in their history, at the expense of an Argyle side that were reduced to ten men following the first half dismissal of right back Paul Bignot.
This defeat comes as a major blow for the Pilgrims who are five points of safety at the bottom of League Two.
One ray of light for Argyle is the proposed signing of experienced central defender Darren Purse which is set to completed in the next few days.
Goals from Paul McCone and Sean Evans secured the Glassboys' place in the second round of the Cup, for the first time in their history, at the expense of an Argyle side that were reduced to ten men following the first half dismissal of right back Paul Bignot.
This defeat comes as a major blow for the Pilgrims who are five points of safety at the bottom of League Two.
One ray of light for Argyle is the proposed signing of experienced central defender Darren Purse which is set to completed in the next few days.
EUNAN NAMED IN TEAM OF THE WEEK
Following his Devon derby exploits against Plymouth Argyle, Torquay United playmaker Eunan O'Kane has been named in the League Two Team of the Week.
Eunan bagged a brace for the Gulls as they recorded their biggest ever win over the Pilgrims, and their first in the league since 1972. He follows in the footsteps of team-mates Lee Mansell, Brian Saah, Kevin Nicholson and Rene Howe who have all featured in the division's weekly XI so far this season.
Eunan bagged a brace for the Gulls as they recorded their biggest ever win over the Pilgrims, and their first in the league since 1972. He follows in the footsteps of team-mates Lee Mansell, Brian Saah, Kevin Nicholson and Rene Howe who have all featured in the division's weekly XI so far this season.
Full Team
Dean Brill - Barnet
Sido Jombati - Cheltenham Town
Steve Elliott - Cheltenham Town
Clovis Kamdjo - Barnet
Dean Howell - Crawley Town
Chris Whelpdale - Gillingham
Kane Ferdinand - Southend United
Eunan O'Kane - Torquay United
Mark Wright - Shrewsbury Town
Liam Dickinson - Southend United
Tyrone Barnett - Crawley Town
TRURO DUO JOIN TIVVY
Tiverton Town have acted quickly to secure the signatures of Danny Clay and Andy Taylor after the pair left Truro City earlier this week.
The duo, who were both part of the Exeter City who famously drew with Manchester United in 2005, left Treyew Road earlier due to the financial troubles affecting the Cornish side, which has seen them face a winding up order from the Inland Revenue over unpaid taxes.
They will both go straight into the Tivvy squad for their FA Trophy clash with Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.
The duo, who were both part of the Exeter City who famously drew with Manchester United in 2005, left Treyew Road earlier due to the financial troubles affecting the Cornish side, which has seen them face a winding up order from the Inland Revenue over unpaid taxes.
They will both go straight into the Tivvy squad for their FA Trophy clash with Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
EUNAN BEAUTY
Torquay United were helped to their first league victory over Plymouth Argyle in 39 years by a brace from Eunan O'Kane.
The Irishman opened the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area on 47 minute. He then added a second two minutes later when he beat Pilgrims' keeper Romain Larrieu with an unstoppable 35-yard effort that clipped the underside of the cross bar as it rattled into the back of the net.
Danny Stevens later added a third for the Gulls before Hull City loanee Will Atkinson scored a late consolation for Argyle.
It was Torquay's biggest win over their Devon rivals and their fifth straight win in all competitions, three behind the club record set under the reign of Kevin Hodges in the 1997-98 season.
The Irishman opened the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area on 47 minute. He then added a second two minutes later when he beat Pilgrims' keeper Romain Larrieu with an unstoppable 35-yard effort that clipped the underside of the cross bar as it rattled into the back of the net.
Danny Stevens later added a third for the Gulls before Hull City loanee Will Atkinson scored a late consolation for Argyle.
It was Torquay's biggest win over their Devon rivals and their fifth straight win in all competitions, three behind the club record set under the reign of Kevin Hodges in the 1997-98 season.
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