Rounding Up

The Pilgrims booked a place in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern Area quarter-finals thanks to a stunning first-half display, resisting the fluid football of the visitors and launching clinical counter-attacks. 

A Lewis Alessandra brace and Deane Smalley’s strike were enough to make the Robins’ second-half comeback – consisting of a 72nd minute penalty from Michael Smith and a Ben Gladwin strike 15 minutes later – a fruitless one.

The win could set up more exciting fixtures under the lights at Home Park this season, and John believes that such wins can only be good for the team across all competitions. 

 “Tonight will not do us any harm – getting a good result against a really good team in a higher division – and hopefully it builds a bit of confidence again,” said John.

“I said, in my programme notes, that this is the best chance that players at this level can get to Wembley. I was lucky to be a manager when [Chesterfield] went there, and it is a really good occasion.

“It is something that every player wants to do – play in a cup final at Wembley. I am sure that, if we did get there, we would take a few fans with us. I am sure we would. 

“It is a really good result to get into the next round.”