Report | Cheltenham Town 0 Argyle 1
Cheltenham Town 0
Argyle 1
Whittaker 78
A fabulous late strike from Morgan Whittaker was enough to keep Argyle at the top of Sky Bet League One and a very merry Boxing Day for almost 1,500 amazing Pilgrim fans who made the Christmas trip to Cheltenham.
After a tight start to the game, the Greens gradually grew in confidence and control, knocking on the Robins’ door for long periods before Whittaker served up a delicious winner.
Argyle manager Steven Schumacher named the same side that defeated Morecambe on the weekend before Christmas, while the Cheltenham line-up included former Pilgrim Ryan Broom.
A dazzling run from Bali Mumba lit up the Boxing Day atmosphere inside three minutes, but his low cross was fended off by the hosts, who responded with a lovely curling effort from Alfie May that flew narrowly wide.
Cheltenham won a free-kick in a dangerous position and May’s fizzing delivery was deflected narrowly off target by Charlie Raglan. The Greens then settled into a strong period of possession and territorial control.
Whittaker won a corner on the left and when the ball was recycled by skipper Joe Edwards, an exquisite touch from Niall Ennis created room for a shot, but the effort was too high. Whittaker kept up the momentum with a superb dipping effort that skimmed the roof of the net.
Apart from a hooked May attempt over the bar, Argyle continued to control the flow of chances. A clever nod down from Macaulay Gillesphey just eluded a dart into space from Ennis, who next saw a shot charged down by the increasingly stretched home defence.
Whittaker and Adam Randell both had a pop from long-range before a tremendous Danny Mayor block at the other end thwarted a rare Cheltenham foray to conclude an entertaining first period.
The Pilgrims restarted in similar fashion, Mayor curling an effort inches wide after bright approach play from Mumba and Ennis. Whittaker picked up the baton, swapping passes with Edwards, before warming the hand of Cheltenham custodian Luke Southwood.
Broom’s flicked header kept Mike Cooper honest at the other end but Argyle were soon back in the ascendancy. A skipping run from Edwards released Ennis in the danger area and his goalbound shot forced Southwood into an outstanding save on 57 minutes.
Argyle made a triple change, Ennis, Randell and Matt Butcher withdrawn for Ryan Hardie, Jordan Houghton and Sam Cosgrove. There was also a tweak to the Pilgrim formation, reverting to the familiar 3-5-2, but Cooper was the man taking the plaudits on 70 minutes, diving low to his left for a super save from James Olayinka’s drive.
Hardie went close with a deflected strike before the crucial moment arrived 12 minutes from time. Whittaker picked up the ball 35 yards from goal, drove into space from the right and rifled a sweet strike into the near-side bottom corner.
Daniel Nlundulu fired over, as the Robins sought a quick response, also adding two more subs to the fray to complete their allocation of five, but the Argyle defence continued to look solid, with Dan Scarr back in his commanding central role.
There was also a massive moment in the young career of teenager Caleb Roberts, who replaced Mayor for his league debut, followed by the introduction of James Wilson for Mumba in a clear indication that Argyle were content with their 1-0 lead.
Five minutes of added time should have been a boost to Cheltenham but Argyle went close to increasing their lead, Edwards steering a shot over after belligerent work from Hardie and Cosgrove.
Three more points and a happy Christmas for Argyle.
Cheltenham: 1 Luke Southwood; 2 Sean Long (14 Caleb Taylor 83), 3 Ben Williams (22 Ryan Jackson 71), 5 Charlie Raglan, 6 Lewis Freestone, 8 Liam Sercombe, 9 Dan Nlundulu, 10 Alfie May, 23 Elliot Bonds (15 Will Ferry 71), 32 Ryan Broom (7 Charlie Brown 83), 36 James Olayinka (28 Taylor Perry 71). Substitutes (not used): 20 Shaun MacDonald (gk), 30 Christian Norton.
Booked: Long 38
Argyle: 1 Mike Cooper; 3 Macaulay Gillesphey, 6 Dan Scarr, 7 Matt Butcher (4 Jordan Houghton 61), 8 Joe Edwards (capt), 10 Danny Mayor (49 Caleb Roberts 83), 11 Niall Ennis (14 Sam Cosgrove 62), 17 Bali Mumba (5 James Wilson 87), 19 Morgan Whittaker,20 Adam Randell (9 Ryan Hardie 61), 21 Nigel Lonwijk. Substitutes (not used): 25 Callum Burton (gk), 44 Will Jenkins Davies.
Booked: Lonwijk 41
Referee: Tom Neild
Attendance: 5,975 (1,490 away)