Argyle’s Fab Four Destroy Sky Blues

Plymouth Argyle comfortably beat a poor Coventry City side with four first half goals, coming in a blistering 22 minute spell.

Argyle’s front attacking four were superb (Mackie, Barnes, Gallagher and Judge), causing the Coventry defence problems with their pace and movement. Argyle, as a team, played well and each starting player deserved praise for the result. Judge gave another man of the match performance but Barker was outstanding at centre back. Romain even pulled off a couple of great saves to keep his second consecutive clean sheet.

Argyle lined up with 10 of the starting 11 who faced Blackpool a week earlier. Barker replaced the injured Cathcart at centre back. Coventry lined up in a 4-3-3/ 4-5-1 formation with Morrison up front and Freddy Eastwood and Robbie Simpson on the flanks.

In the first fifteen minutes, the two sides looked fairly even and there were no chances of note. The game was about to be woken up, and what a wake up call for the Argyle fans.

Mackie, who along with Barnes, was tireless in pressurising the Coventry defence ran strongly down the left. Scott Dann cynically fouled the rampaging Mackie and deservedly picked up a yellow card. From the free kick, Gallagher curled a ball into the far post that appeared to hit full back Fox, and was heading towards the Coventry net until the Coventry keeper, Westward, tipped the ball along the byline. Gary Sawyer quickly hit the ball back across goal and a melee ensued, but the ball went into the back of the net. It looked an own goal, but Ashley Barnes was credited with his first goal for the club.

3 minutes later and Argyle almost increased their lead further. Judge received the ball in the Argyle half and hit a long through ball. Mackie again charged after the ball, but Westward was able to collect the ball at his feet.

Mackie’s pace was worrying the Coventry defence, and Argyle doubled their lead in the 25th minute. Argyle cleared a ball to Judge, after a Coventry corner. Judge scampered down the left and won a throw deep in the Coventry half. Barker took the throw quickly and Judge crossed into the 18 yard box. Barnes won the ball strongly against a Coventry defender and the onrushing Westwood and was able to direct the ball towards Mackie. The striker was left with a simple finish to roll the ball into the net from 10 yards.

Just as the crowd began to relax, Argyle spoilt the sit down with another goal less than 2 minutes later, and what a superb strike it was. Judge picked up the ball on the left and played a one-two with Gallagher. Judge ran across the 18 yard line and just as he was challenged hit a curling right footed shot into the goal. A great strike, leaving Westwood with no chance. Shortly after Coventry substituted Gunnarson for Thornton.

The confidence was starting to ooze from Argyle and the tally was almost increased in the 30th minute. Mackie attacked from the halfway line and played the ball to Barnes who was just outside the 18 yard box. Barnes dinked a shot which just cleared the bar, and again Westwood was beaten.

Coventry had a rare attack in the 33rd minute. Gallagher tried to dribble out of trouble on the byline on the left, but lost the ball to Osbourne. Osbourne laid the ball back to Thornton, who jinked past a couple of Argyle challenges and hit a curling shot towards Larrieu’s goal. The Frenchman showed great agility to dive and tip the shot one handed away from goal.

In the 36th minute it was game over. Judge attacked down the right and managed to play a great low cross across the goal-mouth. Osbourne was able to clear for a corner at the far post. Gallagher’s corner was flicked on by Barker and Seip connected from 3 yards to score a fairly easy goal. The marking was non-existant, and so was the morale of a great number of Coventry fans who left the ground shortly after.

Argyle continued to press and Larrieu almost turned provider with a long goal kick. Judge ran onto the ball and hit a terrific half volley, on the right hand side of the goal, which just flashed wide.

Minutes later, Eastwood won a free kick on the right, 25 yards from goal. Fox’s curling shot was well tipped over by Larrieu. I couldn’t see what happened but Clinton Morrison appeared to have some dialogue with the Devonport End.

The half finished with 3 minutes of injury time and a booking for Doyle after a nasty tackle on Judge.

The second half began, and yet again Judge attacked the Coventry goal down the right, and provided a superb cross, which was headed away by the defence. 4 minutes into the half, Coventry replaced their keeper, Westward, with Andy Marshall. He didn’t appear to be injured maybe his back was hurting after picking the ball out of the net so often! (I’ve just read that it was due to a facial injury). Shortly after and the game was delayed again by an injury to referee Clive Oliver. He was replaced by his linesman Mr Graham.

One of the new referee’s first jobs was to speak to Fox for kicking the ball away after Judge won another free kick. On the hour, Judge crossed well, from the right, and Gallagher hit a half volley at the far post which deflected off a defender for a corner.

On 64 minutes Coventry had another piece of petulance penalised when Morrison showed dissent towards the linesman and referee, and was deservedly booked. He almost scored 3 minutes later after a chipped Fox cross, but his effort was deflected wide by the organised (not many times that has been said this season!) Argyle defence. Coventry won a dangerous free kick on 70 minutes on their right. Fox hit a low curling shot which was destined for the net, but Larrieu tipped wide with another piece of confident goalkeeping. This was greeted by another exodus of Coventry fans.

Argyle had taken their foot off the pedal at this stage, but almost scored a fifth when Fletcher’s header was saved on the line by Marshall.

Argyle then substituted Judge, Barnes and Mackie for Clark, Fallon and debutant Douala. The change effectively ended Argyle’s attacking threat as the Greens tried to maintain their clean sheet. Douala showed some neat touches and trickery, and at times the ball appeared to be glued to his feet.

The game finished with Fox picking up a booking for throwing the ball away and Morrison heading wide.

Argyle finished the game with a team huddle and deserved applause from the Green Army. To a man, the team had put in a great performance, maybe could have scored in the second half, but the majority of fans left purring over some great football.

The front quartet caused lots of problems offensively, but the defensive work of Mackie and Barnes aided Argyle’s efforts. Coventry were always on the back foot, allowing Argyle to play higher up the pitch and exert more pressure.

The front four were well assisted by Duguid and Fletcher in the middle who defended and released the balls at the right times. The influence of Fletcher on Argyle, since his arrival, has been essential to the Greens improved recent displays. In defence Seip was assured, but was outshone by Barker who put in a no-nonsense display. The two full backs, Gray and Sawyer were effective and Romain was superb when called upon.

The first half performance was great and probably Argyle’s best 22 minutes of the season. If Argyle had played more home games in the same manner, we wouldn’t be where we are now. If Sturrock can secure Fletcher and Gallagher’s signatures over the summer (and maybe sign Judge on a season long loan), Argyle have the basis of a great side.

With Norwich and Southampton losing, Argyle are now 6 points clear of relegation, with most teams having four games remaining. Argyle cannot mathematically finish bottom either!

It will be a great result if Argyle pick up anything at St Andrews against Birmingham, and a win in next week’s home game against Doncaster could make Argyle safe.