Clinical Pilgrims
ARGYLE manager Ryan Lowe was thrilled with his side’s ruthlessness in front of goal in Tuesday night’s 4-0 rout of Leyton Orient at Home Park.
All the damage was inflicted in the first half, which meant it was anything but a happy homecoming for former Pilgrim Carl Fletcher as he took charge of Orient for the first time in Sky Bet League Two.
Joel Grant continued his fine scoring form by almost taking the net off the goal at the Barn Park End in the 14th minute. From there, the Greens were pretty much flawless in the first 45.
Zak Rudden grabbed his first goal in front of the Green Army, Calum McFadzean added a third, and Joe Widdowson put through his own net on the stroke of half time. That is just what the manager wants to see, and he feels the hard work behind the scenes is now coming to fruition.
He said: ”Four goals and a clean sheet. I thought the pressing of our boys was different class. The work from Saturday to Saturday that John [Lucas, head of fitness and conditioning] has got them doing, you can see it paying off. Overall, I’m pleased with the performance, the clean sheet, the goals and the overall work rate of the boys.”
Ryan was naturally delighted to see any of his players et themselves on the scoresheet, but he joked that on-loan Rangers forward Zak Rudden gave him a ticking off for substituting him too soon for Byron Moore in the second period.
“That’s what Zak Rudden gives you, he’s a poacher, a sniffer, he actually said to me in the second half when a ball was crossed in ‘you shouldn’t have taken me off because I would have got that,’ said Lowe with a smile.
“I’m buzzing for all the lads when they score goals. I said to Fadz [McFadzean] before the game as well, ‘its’ about time you got back on the scoresheet’. It is brilliant, I always say if you want to score, you can score, you can make yourself available to get chances to put the ball in the net.”