Argyle Nick A Win

Argyle 2 - 0 York City
Fyfield (og) 45.
Chadwick 90.

Attn: 5,881.

Gilmartin 7, Nelson 7, Purse 8, Blanchard 7, Bhasera 7, Young 7, Hourihane 7, Molesley 7, Cowan-Hall 7 (Lennox), Gurrieri 7 (Lowry 6), Griffiths 6 (Chadwick 7).

Subs not used: Cole, Richards, Harvey, Feeney.

So that's what a win feels like!

Argyle's last win came when dinosaurs roamed the earth or so it seems like, in fact it was back in British Summer time - October 20th - when the Greens last won, nine games ago.

Not only did we win a rare three points but a clean sheet was also very welcome, our first defensive shut-out since September 8th.
York arrived at Home Park with just one defeat on the road and their style of football helped our cause, we seem to struggle against teams who play the long ball and rough it up and up until the last 15 minutes York attempted to pass the ball and play football which suited us, however, we played the better football throughout the game.
After the bully boy long ball tactics of many visitors to Home Park this season it was refreshing to see two teams attempting to play a passing style of football.

Transfer-listed Darren Purse returned to the team and picked-up the captain's armband, It was a disappointment to see just one striker in Rhys Griffiths for a home game but the tactic of playing Andres Gurrieri in the hole has worked before plus it looked like number 8 for York - Scott Kerr - was sitting deep as their playmaker and Gurrieri man-marked him when York were on the attack.
I would hope that for a home game the opposition would have to worry about our dangermen not the other way around.

Argyle were easily the better team during the first half and should have gone ahead when Paris Cowan-Hall latched onto a back pass, rounded the keeper and should have headed into an empty net but he chose to rush his shot and the ball sailed over the bar from eight yards out.

It was Cowan-Hall again in the action soon after when York defender Chris Smith raised his foot at head height in the penalty area, Cowan-Hall tumbled over but the ref waved play on. In any other area of the pitch a raised foot at that height would have resulted in a foul.

Still, not to worry because Argyle did grab their deserved lead when Luke Young produced an excellent corner, Purse got his head on it at the near post and the ball rebounded off Jamal Fyfield and into the net.
Argyle 1-0 to the good at half-time.

The second half was more of an even contest in terms of general play although it was Argyle who carved out the better chances, in fact York rarely troubled Gilmartin all game with just three chances created.

Hourihane and Molesley still bossed the midfield but Griffiths struggled to keep possession of the ball up front and was eventually replaced by Chadwick.
Griffiths hasn`t played many games lately and will have tired late in this game.

With York pushing forward they were always suspect to the breakaway and Young did just that and followed up with a great shot that was saved but there was Chadwick to head in and make the game safe.

A deserved win, the whole team played well and there were certainly no passengers.

Nelson's performance at right-back was light years ahead of his efforts in that position earlier in the season; he also adds height in defence and attack.
Purse gave a master class in defending but also professionalism, Blanchard looked happier with Purse back in the team.
I would keep that back four together.

Hourihane had another good game and is improving all of the time, Molesley ran well with the ball although his passes went astray and Young, who is usually hit and miss, had a very good game.

It's difficult to pick out a stand-out player but probably Purse for coming back into the team and leading the players to a win despite the off-the-pitch issues.

Carl Fletcher will still have his critics but a win and the three points are far more important to the team and the club than the future of any individual.

Let's enjoy the win and see what the Director of Football situation brings next week.

Man of the match: Darren Purse.

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