Lowe pleased with Saltash showing
Argyle manager Ryan Lowe was pleased with his side’s performance after a 7-0 win over Western League side Saltash United.
In front of 600 fans at the Kimberley Stadium on a sunny evening in Cornwall, Argyle were too much for their non-league hosts.
Both Niall Ennis and Ryan Hardie scored braces with Conor Grant, Panutche Camara and Rhys Shirley also finding the net.
You can never read too much into pre-season games, but Ryan was happy with the way the Greens went about their business.
He said, “It was nice to come, in my tenure we haven’t played Saltash and there was a nice turnout for them. Fair play to Saltash they went about their business well.
“It’s minutes in the tank and we have come away with no injuries which is a big plus.
“It’s a nice feeling to score, Ryan [Hardie] probably could have had a hattrick and Niall [Ennis] really. We have to look after them but it’s always a bonus when you get some goals.”
The game also saw the introduction of Adam Randell and Macaulay Gillesphey to first team action for the first time this summer.
Both players had been given extra time off following long seasons with Torquay United and Brisbane Roar respectively.
Lowe was happy with how both performed, “Adam Randell was back in the fold having 25 minutes and Macaulay Gillesphey getting half a game, I was really pleased.”
Argyle have played two pre-season games so far, both against local non-league sides, but now they ramp up the intensity by playing five games in 11 days, four against Football League opposition.
Ryan though is keen to stress the importance of matches against these local clubs.
He said, “I played non-league myself and a couple of the youngsters have as well. We have to respect the opposition, they certainly respected us.
“These [Saltash] lads have probably been working from eight in the morning until five, half-five, six o’clock at night.”
Argyle travel to Bristol Rovers on Saturday before three home games against Swansea City, Middlesbrough and Bristol City, with a trip to Tavistock AFC sandwiched in between.
The Greens finish their pre-season fixtures at Plainmoor against Torquay United on Saturday 31 July.
