Irish Eyes Smiling

The Irishman’s absence from the Pilgrims’ starting line-up for five matches was frustrating for player and fans alike, but he put that behind him with a typical influential performance at the Globe Arena.

“It’s been a long four weeks – probably longer than I thought it was going to be,” said Carl, after the match, “but I’m delighted to be back in a winning side again. I’m happy to be helping the lads – that’s what was hurting me most when I wasn’t playing.

“I felt good and am just happy to get the win; it was a very good win away from home.”

Loan players Jordan Houghton and Jamille Matt scored the goals that gave Argyle a victory which sets up the Pilgrims of the visit of York City to Home Park on Easter Monday.

Carl said: “Maybe, in the second half, we could have pushed and tried to get a few more goals, but a 2-0 win away from home, and a clean sheet, sets us up nicely going into Monday, which is another massive game. We just have to move on and go again.”

The win was Argyle’s 10th from 19 away league matches this season, with four more road-trips to come in the race for automatic promotion.

 “We’re going to have to do it again,” said Carl. “We have to try to win every game between now and the end of the season. It’s going to be a tight finish but we got back on track today and we just need to follow it up and make it six points over Easter on Monday.”

Like everyone at Home Park, Carl is delighted to have his old central defensive midfield partner, Hiram Boateng, back at Home Park for a second loan spell of the season which began when he came on as a substitute at the Globe Arena – for Carl.

“It’s brilliant,” he said. “He was missed. He’s a big character around the place and brilliant player, obviously. You saw the options we had on the bench today – great options – and everyone’s going to play a massive part towards the end of the season.

“We have got a few injured players back and we look in good shape for the run-in; I’m looking forward to it.”