Teaming of the Shrews

JOHN Sheridan hailed his side’s teamwork after the Pilgrims pooped Shrewsbury Town’s promotion party to cement their place in the Sky Bet League 2 play-offs.

Argyle became only the second side to win a match at Greenhous Meadow in the league this season, with first-half goals from Bobby Reid and Kelvin Mellor giving them a 2-0 victory.

“As a team, the performance was very good,” said the Argyle manager, whose side now faces Wycombe Wanderers in the two-leg play-off semi-final with a Wembley date against Southend United or Stevenage awaiting the winners.

“From the off, we were creating problems non-stop and some of our football, at times, was very good.

“We defended really well when we had to, but we nullified a team that has got a great home record and I felt we were superior in all departments.

“You can’t play as individuals; when you go out as a team, you have got a better chance of winning. The team performance was very, very good.

“We were coming against a team going for the title, and we were top-drawer from the first whistle. Our first-half performance was really, really good. We were creating chances and catching them on the break and our work-ethic was very, very good. It suited us a little bit, because they played the same system as us.

“We were well on top throughout the game and, once it got to 2-0, I was very comfortable.

“I don’t like picking individuals – they’ve all played a part today – but I thought Bobby Reid was brilliant in the first half. When we were breaking, Bobby was heavily involved and he gets a great goal as a well. Both goals were good and we had good opportunities as well.”

Bobby’s strike, after just two minutes, came from a cross by Kelvin, who then ended the half with his first goal of the season – a left-foot shot after a mesmerising run at the heart of the Shrews’ defence.

“He was a bit too calm for my liking, the way he finished it,” said John. “He’s good at that. He’s getting back to his game; when he’s on his game, wing-back-wise, he’s probably the best in the division.”

So Argyle go into the post-season on a high, with John determined to ensure they have not peaked to early.

“The hardest thing is keeping that level of performance now,” he said. “If we play like we did today, we will have a good chance of getting through, but Wycombe have been in the top three nearly all season so I am expecting a really tough game; they have had a good season.”