Wind in our Sails

ARGYLE manager John Sheridan praised his players after they beat Northampton – and a 60mph wind – to climb to 10th in Sky Bet League 2.

With the wind at their backs in the first half after captain Conor Hourihane called the coin-toss correctly, they got off to a flyer when Reuben Reid scored inside five minutes.

Lewis Alessandra made it 2-0 six minutes before the break, after which the Pilgrims had to grit their teeth and weather everything that the conditions and the division's desperate bottom side could throw at them.

They survived to record a rare win in Northampton and their first in 17 attempts stretching back to 1951.

“The conditions were very tricky for both sides,” said John, “but I thought we deserved the win.

“It was good to get the early goal. Reuben didn’t hit it very cleanly, but he anticipated where the ball would drop and he hit it early.

“We knew the second half would be difficult, so to get the second goal before half-time was important.

“It was very difficult in the second half against the wind, but the goalkeeper and the defenders did really well to keep a clean sheet.

“It was a difficult day for goalkeepers, but I have every confidence in Jake [Cole]. One of his saves was unbelievable. I don’t know how he kept it out.

“I’m pleased with the whole team. It was a really good performance, whatever the conditions."