Awesome Alessandra

YOU could say the perfect way to score your first goal for a new club is to grab a winning goal.

If that is not going to happen, though, flashing a 30-yarder into the top corner against a team two divisions higher is not bad alternative.

Not only did Lewis Alessandra do just that to bring his new Argyle side back to 1-1 against Birmingham City in the Capital One Cup, but he popped up again in the dying seconds to force the game into extra-time.

Having made it 2-2, Lewis and his team-mates saw the Blues grab a winner in the additional half-hour and move on to round two, but the memory of the brace he got will linger long in the memory.

His manager, John Sheridan, is familiar with his work. He managed Alessandra at Oldham, and obviously believes enough in his ability to ask Lewis to join him again, this time in Plymouth. Scoring goals like that will make his gaffer believe his decision is certainly justified.

“The first goal was a wonder goal, wasn’t it?” said John after the game, “But I know he can do that. I hope he can score a few goals for us this season, because I know he’s got it in his locker.

“I’ve never seen him score a goal like that, though. I don’t think I’ve seen many players score one like the first one since I’ve been in football.

“He showed when he was at Oldham that he had ability, and I thought he was excellent tonight.

“Ability-wise, I thought he was outstanding. Two great goals, but they weren’t really worth anything at the end, which is a shame.

“Hopefully it will give him confidence, because I know he can score goals.”

Making his debut in an Argyle shirt was defender Neal Trotman, another player Sheridan has previously worked with, this time at Chesterfield.

Having only signed the previous day, he played creditably alongside Curtis Nelson, and was another to satisfy his manager.

“I thought he did really well,” said John.

“He’s an old fashioned centre-half – he’s not Bobby Moore, but he’ll kick it and he’ll head it. You can see his aerial presence. I thought he did well for his first game.”