Plymouth Argyle 0-3 BFC, Monday 22nd April 2019

‘You ain’t getting a bus from here you clown!’

Welcome....

This was one of the longest days of the season, and all I can say is thank f*** we won.  Having been checking on train prices since January, I never saw anything vaguely affordable for a west country jaunt to Plymouth, so had given up on the idea of going.  Then a conversation with the Two Andies t’other week after Coventry…the carrot of a lift (Reedy saw through that one – no chance!) and a bit of snouting around later, he has something approaching ‘reasonable’.  07:30 out of Paddington, back in London just before midnight, Two Together card at the ready – ours for the unprincely sum of £52!  Christ.  Oh, and work the next day.  I was well and truly fried, Tuesday.

Despite a refurb, the old facade thankfully remains.

I was at Paddington before 6 as well.  Unlike me, I know.  But these climate change protestors (good on ‘em!) had disrupted my bus route, so I had to jump on a tube.  It’s a weird feeling being early for the train.  I don’t like it.  Still, I bumped into Nice Guy Chris, and his wife, Nice Lass Jane, and M&S was open for a hot cross bun stockage (I make no bones about recommending their deluxe hot cross buns, the apple ones especially.  Mmmmmmmm….)

A first spot of the stadium / new roof on the old stand.

So, yes, we were in Plymouth 11ish, and what to do but go for a stroll and hit a seaside pub and have fish, chips and mushy peas in view of the ocean?  When else do we get chance this season?  Sunderland on a Tuesday night?  Course, we turned right at Plymouth Hoe, thereby missing all the other Reds fans down by the Barbican, but hey ho(e).  We strolled to another non-distinct pub for another before walking to the ground, through Home Park itself (if that’s what the giant bit of greenery is called around Plymouth’s Home Park ground).  All very pleasant, save for an emergency dash to the railway station toilet on the way.  As I stood outside the trap, I was this close (puts fingers very close together) to dashing into the ladies.  What does one do when you want someone to hurry up?  Do you SAY something?  (I didn’t; this being Easter, I just found God and prayed.  It worked, kids!)

Look!  The ocean!

Then we won a game of football.  In front of a near sellout crowd (it helps having only 3 stands, the main stand being rebuilt).  In fact, save for the first 5 minutes, we were imperious.  Again.  Then after an unlucky-for-Argyle 13 mins, Jordan Williams put a ball across for Cauley to superb control into his own path on the left and drag the ball into the far corner across the keeper.  What a finish!  Minutes later, Brown just about controls a cross from the left and pokes it home, before Mowatt curls a free kick in before the half hour.  Outstanding, Barnsley.  Outf***ingstanding.  (May I say, Mowatt’s goal came 5 seconds after Reedy commented about Mowatt’s lack of goals from free kicks this season, considering how bedazzling his left foot is meant to be).

Keeping the structure of the old Main Stand - love it!

Thereafter, it was a procession.  Davies did make one excellent save (a one-on-one) halfway through the second half, but otherwise it became the Kiefer show, as our talisman came off the bench and his teammates looked like they were trying everything to get him on the scoresheet.  Bahre put one into his path which was a gimme…so Moore put it wide with his left, while he blazed another one over the bar with his right.  Now, we know Moore has been training with the first team for a while., but it’s a pity shooting doesn’t seem to be amongst it.  Still, ‘lacking match practice’, etc.

Their flag does its rounds, pre-match.

*** Woodrow.  Cauley led the line superbly.  Great movement, holds onto the ball, brings others into play.  Scores.  Who is this Kiefer Moore?
** Mowatt.  Orchestrated midfield.  Again.
* McGeehan.  Between him and Mowatt they have central midfield tied up.  Needs to make sure his lunges connect with the ball though.

Londontykes' MOTM:  1. Woodrow  2. Mowatt 3. McGeehan

Onwards and upwards!

Looking towards the home side.

Despatches:
EVERYONE had a good game, though it’s nice to see Jordan Williams slot into right back so easily in Cavare’s absence.  (Where is Cavare?  Not even on bench was he?)  I felt for Plymouth though.  They match us for a while, then once they conceded, their defence dropped back and ceded midfield dominance to us…thereafter, everywhere the ball was we outnumbered them.  Most dominant game of the season and what a time to do it.
And since I’ve a potential 60 quid coming my way, I’ve become obsessed with the bookies’ odds (cos they’re never wrong, are they?)  What with Portsmouth nicking another tight win at lunchtime (boooo) and Sunderland conceding an injury time equaliser at Posh (celebrated as much as any Reds goal in the away end!) we remain 2^nd faves at 4/9, with Pompey on 4/5 and the Mackems drifting to 6/4.  We have got this nailed…haven’t we???   As any fool knoweth tho, if Pompey keep winning, they go up.  Can they do it at Sunderland next Satdy?  And can we f*** up all our hard work by coming unstuck against midtable Blackpool?  It’s back to the prayer mat for me…

The Dugouts.

Drink du jour: Weihenstephaner

Away: c900.  

The Damage:
£52 train
£24 ent
£3 prog
= £79

The Tunes:
Slowdive (Slowdive)
Until the Hunter (Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions)

Home Park panorama

You can't beat a club vehicle.

Outside the home end.

Walking around the ground to the away end.

Cherry pickers parked up for the weekend.

The Main Stand paddock.

The teams meet 'n' greet.

Match action on a beautiful day in Plymouth.