Starting Sharp

ARGYLE’S smart start in their FA Cup with Budweiser first-round replay “destroyed” non-league opponents Lincoln.

That is the opinion of Reuben Reid, whose first hat-trick for five seasons put the Pilgrims on the road to a 5-0 win and a home second-round tie against Welling United next month.

Reuben and Lewis Alessandra both scored before the fifth minute, and had already had several chances to net before Reuben opened the scoring.

“It was a very good performance from the lads, very encouraging,” Reuben said. “It showed that we can actually score some goals.

“We played very well and sort of destroyed them, really, within the first 20 minutes.

“We started off very sharply. I was fed some balls which enabled me to get in behind and I had a go at the ’keeper, who pulled off a save. Thankfully, a goal wasn’t too far away.

“Obviously, [the goalkeeper] made a mistake – he kicked [the ball] straight to me and kept my calm and finished how I should have finished it.”

Although he notched twice more in the first half – including a penalty after Tope Obadeyi had been tripped – Reuben took most pleasure from his assist for Lewi’s goal, 84 seconds after the opener.

He said: “I think that was my favourite bit of the night, really – the best bit of football played. It was a great little pass by Maxi [Maxime Blanchard], which he does all the time for me. It’s a big boost whenever he plays in the team with me. I receive a lot of balls from him; he plays it safe side.

“I received the ball in my own half and I knew Lewi was going to be on the shoulder [of the defender], so all it was a case of getting [the ball] above the final defender’s head and Lewi was there. He finished really well.

“I think it was the break we needed. We have put in some good performances but things haven’t quite clicked. The critics will probably say that we were only playing Lincoln, but let’s not forget that they were a side who, two weeks ago, gave us a very tough game at their ground.

“That’s my second career hat-trick. Obviously goals have not been flowing for as regularly as I would have liked them to but I think, in this game, you have got to keep plugging away and, thankfully, tonight, three goals have come at once.

“I won’t be the one to say that I deserve it, but when you plug away at anything in life, put in the effort, I think there is going to be some point when something is going to fall for you.”


Details of ticketing for the second-round match against Welling United on the weekend of December 7-8 will be posted as soon as we have them.

To enjoy Home Park’s renowned hospitality at the second-round game, contact James or Elaine on 302204, email james.greenacre@pafc.co.uk or elaine.james@pafc.co.uk.