REPORT | ARGYLE 0 FLEETWOOD TOWN 0
Argyle 0
Fleetwood Town 0
Argyle tried everything and Fleetwood stopped everything on a rare Home Park afternoon where the Pilgrims were unable to find the key to unlock a determined defence.
The game lacked clear chances throughout and, while the Greens huffed and puffed until the final minute, credit to the visitors for holding firm in front of a packed and expectant Green Army.
Argyle boss Steven Schumacher made four changes from the midweek victory at Oxford United. Jordan Houghton, Joe Edwards, Callum Wright and Tyreik Wright all came into the side, with Niall Ennis returning from injury for a spot on the bench.
Fleetwood were first to have a pop on goal, Shaun Rooney’s effort from six yards blocked by a perfectly positioned James Wilson after a dangerous corner delivered by Scott Robertson.
The Greens showed their colours with a delicious pass from Nigel Lonwijk that picked out the run of Ryan Hardie, who cut inside his man before a low drive fired narrowly wide of the near post. Jordan Houghton then had a shot charged down, as the Pilgrims looked to up their tempo.
The Cod Army remained a threat on the counter and Lonwijk had to judge his challenge perfectly after a clever pass from Josh Vela almost released Carlos Mendes Gomes for a run on Callum Burton’s goal.
Lonwijk’s all-action afternoon continued with another pass forward aimed at Hardie, who neatly deflected the ball into the path of Callum Wright, but credit to Brendan Wiredu for reading the danger to rescue the visitors.
Callum Wright and Hardie combined again on the half-hour, following a slick pass from Finn Azaz, but the final shot was too high. Fleetwood custodian Jay Lunch did have some work to do from the next attack, pouncing on the loose ball with Callum Wright lurking.
Fleetwood responded with a cross that took a slight deflection off Houghton, and a deflection that just about had enough deviation on the ball to prevent Jack Marriott from having a clear shot on goal, as an alert Burton gratefully gathered.
Argyle finished the half with a sweeping move that culminated in another Azaz effort charged down and a nearly moment that summed up a frustrating first 45 minutes. The restart also lacked rhythm for the Greens, as Marriott again had a decent opening, lashing the ball wide after a lofted ball over the Pilgrim defence.
Schumacher turned to his bench with the introduction of Sam Cosgrove and Mickel Miller for Azaz and Tyreik Wright but Fleetwood continued to offer up stubborn resistance at the back, prompting another double switch for the final 20 minutes, Bali Mumba and Ennis replacing Hardie and Joe Edwards.
A top tackle from Wilson thwarted an increasingly rare foray forward from the visitors but Argyle were soon back in the ascendancy, Cosgrove winning a free kick by the corner flag. After the initial cross was cleared, Miller recycled with a cross headed over by Cosgrove.
A packed Home Park then held its breath as a Fleetwood break from Harvey Macadam was stabbed clear for Vela on the edge of the box, but he mercifully fired inches wide. Less than 30 seconds later, Argyle were in the opposite penalty box and Ennis shifted the ball beautifully before a shot that also shaved the wrong side of the post.
Matt Butcher for Houghton was the final Pilgrim change, joining forces with the impressive Jay Matete in midfield.
Argyle entered the closing moments hoping for one more big chance and Mumba provided, forcing his way into space for a 22-yard strike with his left foot, brilliantly tipped over by Lynch. Butcher then curled a sweet effort just beyond the top corner.
No way through for Argyle and thoughts quickly turn to Tuesday’s Papa Johns Trophy semi-final at home to Cheltenham.
Argyle: 25 Callum Burton; 3 Macauley Gillesphey, 4 Jordan Houghton (7 Matt Butcher 80), 5 James Wilson, 8 Joe Edwards (capt) (17 Bali Mumba 70), 9 Ryan Hardie (11 Niall Ennis 70), 18 Finn Azaz (16 Sam Cosgrove 58), 21 Nigel Lonwijk, 26 Callum Wright, 28 Jay Matete, 29 Tyreik Wright (14 Mickel Miller 58). Substitutes (not used): 32 Adam Parkes (gk), 2 James Bolton.
Booked: Miller 85
Fleetwood: 13 Jay Lynch; 4 Brendan Wiredu, 5 Corrie Ndaba, 7 Carlos Mendes Gomes (21 Cian Hayes 66), 8 Josh Vela (capt), 10 Scott Robertson (27 Harvey Macadam 21), 14 Jack Marriott (9 Jayden Stockley 66), 16 Lewis Warrington, 18 Harrison Holgate, 22 Toto Nsiala, 26 Shaun Rooney. Substitutes (not used): 50 Stephen McMullen (gk), 6 Darnell Johnson, 17 Callum Dolan, 23 Phoenix Patterson.
Booked: Mendes Gomes 64, Nsiala 74, Rooney 78, Macadam 80, Warrington 82, Ndaba 90
Attendance: 16,108 (107 away)
Referee: David Rock