Argyle’s poor show

Plymouth Argyle made the 800 mile round trip to  Carlisle on Saturday trying to cement their play-off berth against a side threatened with the prospect of relegation.  The pilgrims were boosted by a typically good support for such a huge distance of in excess of 500 fans.

In the sunshine it had the feeling of the end of season game, the Green Army were in good voice and Argyle responded with some nice build up play but nothing to show for it with an effort at goal. They grew in confidence and began to force a few corners and the Carlisle keeper started making some good saves. Carlisle rarely troubled Argyle keeper Luke McCormick until he was forced to make a save which hit the post and was cleared off the line by McHugh. Bobby Reid had a shot deflected with the keeper beaten as Argyle grew into the game with some good passing but lacking that finishing touch.

On 29 minutes, Carlisle opened the scoring with a good effort from Dicker. Argyle lost the ball in midfield claiming it was handled by the Carlisle player.  The referee said no and Carlisle continued to advance on McCormick’s goal as Argyle’s midfield stopped waving their arms in the air. Following that passage of play the ball made its way into the box and was half cleared by the Argyle defence, only to find its way to Dicker who hit a sweet shot past the despairing dive of McCormick. Every Argyle fan then feared the worst with Argyle not winning from a losing position for a two year period.

The hosts lifted by the goal and the slight increase in volume from the otherwise quiet home support began to grow into the game and they became the dominant team. The remainder of the half was a continuation of a lack of real quality from both sides and the half time whistle was greeted with a huge cheer from the home support.

The second half started but Argyle did not, they were bullied and beaten to every ball then after 5 minutes of the second half a long ball was played forward by Carlisle which Argyle defender Hartley let bounce then his very weak header fell to Paynter who slid it past McCormick. The remainder of the second half saw Carlisle the more likely team to score but nothing really troubling McCormick. Argyle were however denied a penalty when Reuben Reid was fouled by the Carlisle keeper only to turn around a see the referee brandish a yellow card for a dive.

Argyle who remain 7th in the league can count themselves very luck that the majority of results went their way in the play-off race.  After this extremely poor performance from their team the Green Army will be hoping to get back to winning ways.

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