Return of Service

...as the Pilgrims have been drawn away to AFC Wimbledon in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Round 1.

Argyle began their Sky Bet League 2 campaign with a 2-0 win away at AFC Wimbledon, but will have to withstand another stern test to progress further in the JPT, which begins early next month. 

Derek said: "Obviously it's a difficult game, as Saturday was. We would have liked to have a home tie, we would have liked to have played somebody closer. It looked like at one stage it was going to be Exeter, but it was the last out the hat and it was away to Wimbledon. But we've got on with it and it's a competition we would like to do well in as well."

Argyle's victory at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday was an satisfying start to the season, and Derek was impressed with his new signings: "I thought they were terrific. To go away from home and win 2-0 is something that Argyle haven't done [on the opening day] for five years, so to do that and deal with the physical element of the game that Wimbledon had [was pleasing].

"The new players did really well but the players that were here from last season performed to a high standard as well.

The scoreline wasn't the only thing that pleased Derek: "The nature of the performance, a very good performance and an away win as well. We came away with a clean sheet. To get two debutants scoring goals and to play in the manner we did throughout the match, it was a very good afternoon for us."

Derek opted to play Carl McHugh in defensive midfield, a role that he hadn't played for Argyle until this pre-season: "I think he played there when he was younger, probably 18-ish years-old. He's only 22 now. He's played very well in there for us, he's a tough tackler and he's very composed on the ball as well."

Argyle's Johnstone's Paint Trophy game at AFC Wimbledon will be played on the week commencing August 31.