Feeno Looks Ahead

AFTER the emphatic 3-0 win of the previous Tuesday night against Portsmouth kicked off the season in style, Argyle came back down to earth with a bump against another Hampshire side.

Before the last light, Aldershot were already on the A303 with three points acquired, leaving Argyle to ponder their first defeat in an opening league fixture for ten years.

An early goal by Troy Brown, granted the freedom of the penalty area from a free-kick, set a tone for the game. Argyle were, therefore, always chasing after that. Chances came, but none were converted, and Aldershot pounced on a counter attack ten minutes into the second half, earning a penalty, which was duly converted.

Manager Carl Fletcher sent on Paris Cowan-Hall and Warren Feeney to offer some fresh attacking impetus, but although the Pilgrims has significant late territorial advantage, it was to no avail.

“We knew what Aldershot were going to be like,” said Feeno. “We didn’t get the first goal, and we were chasing the game.

 “It was unfortunate, Paris put a great ball in at one point and it went just over my head at the back post.

“I think the frustrating part was that we gave away two stupid goals. One thing we pride ourselves on is set-pieces, and unfortunately we let their guy in for a free header.

“The second one, I don’t want to comment too much on. In my opinion, I didn’t think it was a penalty, but at the end of the day the ref has given it.

“Nobody wants to give goals away. It’s an important part of the game, set-pieces, and we’ll sit and look at the video to see where we went wrong.”

Argyle have little time to lick superficial wounds or feel sorry for themselves. A trip to Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday looms, bringing with it an opportunity to dismiss defeat in the opener as a minor blip.

Warren said: “Regarding the game on Tuesday, we’ve got loads of games coming up, but we take them one at a time, and it’s a chance for us to bounce back at Dagenham.

“I felt that for the 20 minutes when we came on we looked better, and there was a bit more enthusiasm about us. We’ve got beat, but we’ll pick ourselves up, and, from my point of view, hopefully I’ll get a game Tuesday.”