Inverting Conversions

THE failure to convert dominance into chances cost Argyle three points on their travels at Hartlepool...

...but manager Derek Adams was still pleased with his side’s resilient attitude that allowed them to secure a valuable point. 

The Pilgrims were unplayable for long periods of the first half, with Graham Carey, Matty Kennedy and Jake Jervis creating excellent chances. 

None were scored, though, and Hartlepool were able to take the lead, against the run of play, through Rhys Oakes. 

Kennedy, though, showed a touch of individual brilliance to level, and give Argyle a deserved point to take with him back on the long trip to Devon. 

“We could have been three or four goals up with the chances we created, and should have taken,” said Derek. “Then they get a goal against the run of play, and you’ve got to get yourself back into the match.

“We could have taken our chances better when they came along. In the end Hartlepool have been able to get that goal, and we have had to show very good resilience to get back into the match. Over the 90 minutes we were the dominant team, the one that created the most chances.”

Hartlepool were not in the game until their opener, but the goal gave them confidence, and Argyle took until well into the second period to find their stride again, and eventually equalise. 

The draw was the Pilgrims’ first on the road in Sky Bet League Two this season. Their other 14 games had yielded four defeats and a very impressive 10 wins. 

Derek was not content with the point; after the leveller Argyle continued to attack, virtually with four forwards, but they could not break down Hartlepool a second time, despite their positive play and the urgings of 426 passionate Pilgrims. 

“[The game] turned from the point of view that they had something to hold on to,” said Derek. “It wasn’t that they passed the ball well or did anything. They wanted to play on the counter attack after that, which you understand.

“Before half-time we felt, when they scored, it put us on the back foot a wee bit. We had to get ourselves back into the game. We still had good bits of play, and we could have scored in that time, but you get yourself back in at half-time, and get going again in the second half. 

“In any game, we want to get the three points. Away from home is no different from at home. It’s important that you pick up points. Away from home, we’ve won 10 games. We taken a point here, and we move on. 

“They’re all important. It doesn’t matter what week you’re playing in. We’re playing away from home again, and we’ve got a good away record. 

“We’ve done exceptionally well away from home. We’ve come a long way – eight-and-a-half hours to get a point. 

“It’s a long way, and we were delighted we had such a large following with us today.”