First away point for Argyle

ARGYLE have their first away point, and Bristol Rovers have their first home point.

That is the sum total of what came out of a game which spotlighted two teams short on wins, points and confidence.

It was a game not devoid of action, as each side had periods of offence in which it looked like a goal must surely follow, but particularly good saves by each side's goalkeeper were the significant contributions in this one.

Derek Adams said, before the game, that his intention was to put Graham Carey back into a position where he was most comfortable, and could cause the most damage. Adams did this by playing Carey just behind forward Freddie Ladapo, with a narrow midfield four behind comprising Antoni Sarcevic, Yann Songo'o, Jamie Ness and Conor Grant.

Niall Canavan came back into the back four at the expense of Ashley Smith-Brown, with skipper Gary Sawyer shuffling back to his usual left-back position. Joe Riley and Ryan Edwards made up the rest of the defensive line, in front of goalkeeper Matt Macey.

Rovers played a (formerly) orthodox 4-4-2, and the two sides were fairly evenly matched over a well-contested early part of the game.

For Rovers, Sam Matthews shot over very early on, with Ollie Clarke testing Macey from further out, while, at the other end, Sarcevic's excellently timed run nearly led to something in the home box. Twinkling feet from Ladapo then carved out his own chance, but it was held by home keeper Jack Bonham.

Both sides were looking for their difference-makers to get into the game, and when a player for each team did that, both came from slightly fortuitous circumstances.

For the full story, go to https://www.pafc.co.uk/news/2018/september/match-report-for-bristol-rove...https://www.pafc.co.uk/news/2018/september/match-report-for-bristol-rovers-vs-plymouth-argyle-on-08-sep-18/