A Suitable Replacement

WHEN the news filtered through, prior to kick off in the game against Exeter City, that Argyle’s top goalscorer Paris Cowan-Hall would miss out through injury...

...it was understandable that those with green hearts would feel deflated at his absence.

But on occasions such as these, one person’s misfortune offers an opportunity to someone else. In this case, step forward Mr Joseph Lennox.

Joe’s equaliser, earning Argyle a deserved point in this to-and-fro Devon Expressway Derby, was eerily reminiscent of the last time Argyle visited their fiercest rivals.

That night, in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy fixture, The Pilgrims went a goal down, then levelled proceedings via their right sided midfielder, Luke Daley, scoring his first goal in senior football.

Ring any bells?

“I just cut in and hit it with my left foot, trying to score. It took a little deflection, I think, and went in,” said Joe, accurately. Yes, it took a hefty deflection, but his endeavour deserved it.

Joe has now started three league games this season for Argyle, with two coming in away games to Devon rivals, having played his part in a 0-0 draw at Torquay earlier in the campaign.

“They’re the two biggest games to play in during the season. When I get to start in Derby games that gives me confidence in my own performance, and to play well.

“It doesn’t put more pressure on me. Every game I play I do as well as I can, it’s all you can do.”

This particular derby was an odd affair. Perhaps Exeter shaded the first half, and missed a couple of glorious chances in the second. But Argyle were dogged and vastly on top for much of the second period, until Maxime Blanchard was sent off with only a few minutes remaining.

“I think it’s just about work rate, this game,” said Joe, “Whoever works hardest gets the result. Maybe they worked harder in the first half, but we came out and worked harder in the second. It’s a fair result, I think.

“We brought Feeno and Chaddy on, as we wanted to try and get a goal, so it gave us more attacking options to get crosses in the box.

“I think we’re all pleased to get a point. When we had a man sent off we needed to stay tight and defend as a team. I thought we did that well. We all stuck together. It’s good to get a point, but we could have had three.”