The Long Good Friday

The Pilgrims were caught up in Bank Holiday traffic chaos that, at best, delayed some of the Green Army’s journey and, at worst, forced some to turn back after nearly nine hours on the road without getting to see Argyle’s 2-0 victory at the Globe Arena.

That was despite Pilgrims officials requesting – and getting – a half-hour delay to kick-off.

Nor were Argyle the only League 2 side to be given a long journey on one of the busiest weekends of the year: Leyton, Wimbledon, Carlisle, York, Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool have all suffered similarly this Easter.

“There isn’t any sense in it,” said Derek. “We all know that the roads are going to be busy and I think we could all have played closer to home over this festive period. It would have made a lot of things easier. We have had a delay today because of the road conditions and that’s not helped anybody.

“[The Football League] will have to put it into their computer system. That’s something that somebody might be able to do before next year.

“Some fans haven’t been able to come here and witness an away victory and, for the ones who have been able to make the journey, it hasn’t been easy. They have been very loyal to Plymouth Argyle for so many years and they have seen another away win, so they will go away happy.

“You always want to see your team do well, and Plymouth Argyle are doing exceptionally well this season. The fans have had a long trip – we had eight and half hours [on Thursday]; some of them probably had more [on Friday]. 

“We left Plymouth at 12 o’clock and didn’t reach the hotel until 8.30pm, and today we had to leave the hotel early to try to get [to the stadium].

“We have had a lot to overcome over the last 24 hours – the game was delayed, which didn’t help anybody’s preparation – but we’ve got through it.

“We were [at the stadium] two hours before the game and we had to wait a bit but I thought we started the game very well and we should have been two or three up within the first ten minutes.”