MARV THE DIFFERENCE FOR JOHN
IF Marvin Morgan can continue in this vein of form then League Two defenders better take notice after the giant striker laid the foundations for Plymouth to make it back-to-back wins.
Morgan was unplayable at times during the first half at Home Park, marrying flair and artistry with menace and a physical presence.
The former Shrewsbury Town frontman caused havoc in the Rochdale penalty box and it was no surprise that he won the penalty which led to the only goal of the game.
Morgan was the first to react to a clumsy touch from Dale skipper Olly Lancashire and got to the ball ahead of onrushing keeper Josh Lillis.
The Pilgrims striker fell to the deck and, despite animated protests from the Dale players, referee Brendan Malone pointed to the spot. It was a debatable decision but Reid showed composure to fire the penalty into the corner.
“Marvin worked his socks off,” said Plymouth boss John Sheridan. “He showed that he is a better player when he is high up the pitch up taking on defenders.
“He was a right handful in the first half and he really got us going. I thought our front two caused them lot of problems.
“It was a game of two halves. We played really well in the first half and should have had it sewn up by halftime.
“But they came back at us after halftime and we just didn’t get going in the second half.
“I am disappointed with how we performed in that second half because I know we are a lot better than that.”
Argyle signalled their attacking intent inside the first minute after Morgan muscled his way into the box, only to see his header clawed around the post by Lillis.
Reid wasted a glorious chance after Lillis fumbled Curtis Nelson’s monster throw before the striker was presented with an opportunity to atone.
Morgan crashed to the turf and Reid coolly despatched the resulting penalty.
Rochdale emerged a different side at the start of the second half and were denied an equaliser when Ian Henderson’s free-kick was steered goalwards by Lund before Luke McCormick scrambled the ball to safety.
The visitors piled on the pressure in the closing stages but Joe Bunney’s header from flew wide.
Dale boss Keith Hill said: “We conceded a very soft penalty. It came from a catalogue of errors which ended with our keeper making the last mistake. It was one-way traffic in the second half and we put the opposition under severe pressure. But we squandered chance after chance.
“We have to start making sure we put away our chances and ease the burden on our defence and keeper “But I am encouraged by the performance and I am sure
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