Plymouth Argyle's promotion push was checked by a 2-0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Derensili Sanches Fernandes scored after six minutes and Bojan Radulović added a second nine minutes into the second half to consign the Greens to a loss that leaves them fourth in League One on 19 points.
Huddersfield struck early, punishing a defensive lapse. Joe Taylor capitalised to set up Sanches Fernandes, whose shot took a deflection past goalkeeper Murphy Cooper. The visitors could have extended their lead soon after, but Cooper made a sharp save to deny the same player. Argyle struggled to mount a response, with a deep free-kick on 24 minutes and a spell of pressure after the half-hour mark failing to produce a clear chance. Cooper was the busier keeper, making five saves in the first half alone, including a key one-on-one stop against Taylor.
Argyle fail to find a way back
The pattern continued after the break. Huddersfield doubled their lead in the 54th minute when former Argyle player Bali Mumba embarked on a solo run down the left and crossed for Radulović to head home. Manager Tom Cleverley responded with a triple substitution just after the hour, introducing Oli Irow, Xavier Amaechi and Tyreeq Bakinson. Irow forced a save from Matty Young, and Caleb Watts fired narrowly wide late on, but a genuine comeback never materialised. The defeat is Argyle's second in their last five league games, a run of form that reads LWDWL.
Cleverley had warned that striker Aribim Pepple, the club's top scorer this season with four goals in ten appearances, might only be fit for an hour. "Pepple, who Tom Cleverley had warned would only probably be fit enough to last 60 minutes or so," was part of an attack that found chances scarce against a disciplined Huddersfield defence. The result sees Plymouth remain just one point off the top of the table, but they must now regroup quickly for a midweek trip to face 12th-placed Stevenage.
Referee Ollie Yates blew the final whistle in front of a crowd of 16,124 at Home Park, with 539 travelling Town fans. Argyle's next chance to return to winning ways comes on Tuesday night away at Stevenage.
The original report is at pafc.co.uk
Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley criticised his team's mentality after the 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town on October 17. Cleverley said his players "shrank away from the challenge" when the visitors showed their quality. He described it as a "humbling afternoon" where his side were second best. The defeat leaves Plymouth fourth in League One on 19 points, one point behind leaders Bradford.
Plymouth Parkway have been drawn at home to Berkhamsted in the FA Cup first round on November 7. The seventh-tier side, who are second in their league, reached this stage with a 2-0 win over Chertsey Town. Top scorer Andrew Neal told reporters the draw was "a very winnable game." Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle, who are fourth in League One on 19 points, prepare for their next league fixture.
Plymouth Parkway manager Karl Curtis said he wants an EFL club in the FA Cup first round after his side's historic 2-0 qualifying win over Chertsey Town. Curtis told reporters, "It'd be huge if we could get a league club here at Bolitho." Parkway, based near League One's Plymouth Argyle, will host Berkhamsted on November 7. Argyle, who are fourth in League One on 19 points, next play away at Stevenage.
Plymouth Parkway manager Karl Curtis said he expects a sell-out crowd for his side's historic FA Cup first round tie. Parkway will host Berkhamsted on November 7. Curtis told reporters, "I believe it'll be a sell-out on the day." Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle, who are fourth in League One on 19 points, prepare for their next league fixture.
