Defeat again for Argyle as Fleetwood have a Ball

Plymouth Argyle 0

Fleetwood Town 2
Ball 10, 12

Sky Bet Football League Two, Saturday 10 August 2013

Two goals in as many minutes from Fleetwood striker David Ball were enough to give the visitors victory and condemn Argyle to their third successive defeat this season - two out of two in the league.

The first home game of the season offered hope of a win to kick-start the 2013-14 campaign. The impressive performance in the Capital One Cup defeat at Championship Birmingham on Tuesday had certainly provided encouragement that John Sheridan's restructured team could bounce back quickly from the opening defeat at Southend.

Alas, it wasn't to be as Fleetwood made it two wins in two for them, marking them out as one of the promotion favourites.

Sheridan selected the same starting line-up as he had at St Andrews in midweek, meaning that Jake Cole was preferred over Luke McCormick in goal. But the team couldn't find the same attacking spark and despite a decent effort to get themselves back in the match - Durrell Berry and Reuben Reid both went close - Fleetwood were able to soak up the pressure and protect their lead.

Sheridan will have much to work on over the next few days before the team travel to Cheltenham next Saturday. The signs are there that suggest once the team gel, they will prove to be a far more formidable force in the division. For now though, it's the all too familiar bottom of the table that continues to haunt the Pilgrims.

For a full match report, visit the Plymouth Argyle website at www.pafc.co.uk.

Plymouth Argyle (4-4-2): 1 Jake Cole; 2 Durrell Berry, 16 Neal Trotman, 17 Curtis Nelson, 3 Andre Blackman; 7 Lewi Alessandra, 6 Conor Hourihane (c), 11 Dominic Blizzard (14 Luke Young 64), 8 Rommy Boco 27 Andres Gurrieri 64; 10 Marvin Morgan, 9 Reuben Reid (18 Tyler Harvey 64). Substitutes (not used): 22 Jamie Richards, 23 Luke McCormick (gk), 25 Ben Purrington, 30 Ryan Lane.

Fleetwood Town (4-5-1): 1 Scott Davies; 14 Liam Hogan, 16 Ryan Cresswell, 5 Mark Roberts (capt), 25 Stephen Jordan; 24 Ryan Crowther (15 Conor McLaughlin 89), 18 Antoni Sarcevic, 8 Steven Schumacher (4 Stewart Murdoch 86), 11 Jeff Hughes, 12 Junior Brown (3 Dean Howell  86); 23 David Ball. Substitutes (not used): 6 Nathan Pond, 10 Jamille Matt, 17 Matty Blair, 33 David Lucas (gk).

Booked: Hogan 68.

Referee: Chris Sarginson.

Attendance: 7,280 (90 away)