Tiverton Town 0
Argyle 1
(Summerfield 30)
LUKE Summerfield got Argyle's pre-season off to a winning start at sultry Ladysmead on Monday night.
The Pilgrims' midfielder struck after half an hour of a competitive game in which Argyle played a different line-up in each half.
There were a few familiar old faces on show at Ladysmead, and more than a few unfamiliar ones.
The home side's midfield boasted Bobby Hopkinson, a member of the Argyle side that reached the quarter-finals of last season's FA Youth Cup, and ex-Pilgrim Mark Saunders, whose last Argyle game was at Turf Moor in 1998 when he scored in a 2-1 defeat that saw the Greens relegated to the Third Division.
Argyle's initial line-up included three trialists: a tall, blond goalkeeper named only as 'Lubos' on the team-sheet; and two right-sided midfielders - 'Mohamed' and 'Rhim'.
New signing from Colchester Karl Duguid started on the right side of the defence, wearing what looked suspiciously like a captain's armband, although no coin-toss took place to confirm his leadership role.
Shane White, a Home Park Under-18 team-mate of Hopkinson's last season and a first-year pro this, partnered the restored and forgiven Marcel Seip in the centre of defence, with Gary Sawyer at left-back.
Summerfield and Jamie Mackie mirrored the two trialists on the left of midfield, with Rory Fallon and Steve MacLean partnered in attack, Fallon playing the 'drop-off' role.
Argyle strolled through the opening quarter with few problems - and little chance to assess 'Lubos'- and should have taken the lead midway through the half when Tom Gardner felled 'Mohamed' to give away a penalty.
However, MacLean, the man wth a deadly reputation from 12 yards before he came to Plymouth, saw his kick well saved by Pierre Martini the French - what else? - goalkeeper on trial at Yeovil and loaned to Tiverton.
Martini was not such a bright one eight minutes later, when good work on the left between Sawyer and Mackie provide the chance for Summerfield to finish bravely.
Argyle blooded a fourth trailist in the second half, with the other three under scrutiny the only Pilgrims given a second half in which Jermaine Easter started as a lone striker and summer signing Jason Puncheon debuted on the left side of midfield.
There were no more goals but Argyle looked the more likely to score. Puncheon tried a few shots from range, Damien McCrory stung Martini's hands with a drive, and the fourth trialist showed his paces, literally.
Tiverton Town (3-5-2): 1 Pierre Martini; 4 Matt Villis (17 Adam Kelly 77), 6 Tom Gardner,5 Aaron Pugh; 2 Adam Faux, 10 Mark Saunders, 8 Bobby Hopkinson, 7 Glen Gould (15 Ross Carstairs 77), 3 Chris Vinnicombe (capt, 18 Brendon O'Doyle 77); 9 Jamie Densham (12 Radley Veale 77), 11 Lawrence Yiga.
Argyle, first half (4-4-2): 1 Trialist; 2 Karl Duguid (capt), 28 Shane White, 19 Marcel Seip, 18 Gary Sawyer; 22 Trialist, 26 Trialist, 20 Luke Summerfield, 25 Jamie Mackie; 14 Rory Fallon, 9 Steve MacLean.
Argyle, second half (4-2-3-1): 1 Trialist; 6 Chris Clark, 13 Ashley Hodgkinson, 21 Ryan Brett, 3 Jim Paterson (capt); 4 Trialist (28 Damien McCrory 71), 8 Yoann Folly; 11 Trialist, 22 Trialist (24 Ashley Barnes 71), 7 Jason Puncheon; 10 Jermaine Easter.
Referee: Andy Rodda (Exeter).
Attendance: 872.
Rick Cowdery
