Ahead Of The Game - Looking Daggers

LIAM SPENCE takes a look at the week ahead at Home Park, where it is beginning to look a lot like you-know-what...

After a 3-2 win packed with drama and terrific goals, Argyle will look for back-to-back victories with a win against Dagenham & Redbridge at Home Park on Saturday.

Before then, on Wednesday, the Pilgrims will be visiting Derriford Hospital to spread a little festive cheer to the children’s wards and the theatre suite.

Later that day, Argyle will be training their vocal cords in the annual Home Park Carol Service. This year, we will commemorate the centenary of the Christmas Day Truce, with the service being attended by players, staff, directors – and of course Father Christmas.

The service, led by Argyle chaplain Arthur Goode, be held at the Devonport end of Home Park, at 7pm – with gates opening at 6pm. Entry is, as ever, free of charge.

On Saturday, before the Daggers game, the Argyle Community Trust will be providing the perfect warm up for Argyle’s last game before Christmas, with the 3K Santa Run, which aims to raise money for the Trust itself, Prostate Cancer and the Argyle Youth Academy. The event is set to take place at 11am in Central Park and you get your Santa suit free – for more information about the Trust, go to: www.argylecommunitytrust.co.uk

The Greens’ festive adventure then hits a more serious note when they return to Sky Bet League 2 action to take on Dagenham & Redbridge, but Argyle’s little gifts do not stop there with the game for accompanied under 18’s, prior to match-day, costing just £1.

The Pilgrims will be looking to extend their unbeaten home record to nine matches and further express their credentials for promotion when they take on Dagenham & Redbridge at the Theatre of Greens.

John Sheridan can take a lot of encouragement from the loan extension of Andy Kellett into the New Year to bolster his ranks - and the fact that Argyle have never lost against the Daggers in the league.

The Pilgrims currently occupy fifth position with victory over the east London club potentially lifting us up into the automatic promotion spots.

For Daggers, who suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers at the weekend, the three points are vital as they look to move away from the relegation zone and kick-start their campaign.

Argyle won both fixtures by a scoreline of 2-1 last season, and on both occasions Reuben Reid opened the scoring only for Zavon Hines to equalise. In the home match, in November, Luke Young scored winner with a delicious free-kick at the Devonport End, whilst the away fixture was won with a cracking Lewis Alessandra volley.

With Dagenham’s visit to the Theatre of Greens comes a familiar face in Ashley Hemmings, who made 23 appearances and scored two goals for the Pilgrims during his loan spell in the 2011-2012 season.

Behind the scenes, there are even more Argyle connections, as Dagenham are not only managed by former Argyle midfielder Wayne Burnett, but boast Darren Currie as a first-team coach and Kenny Brown as academy manager.