PILGRIMS MAKING EDGY PROGRESS
PLYMOUTH bounced back from Tuesday’s disappointing defeat against Northampton, who they lead the table from on goal difference.
The Pilgrims ripped into Stevenage from the first whistle and their 3-1
The visitors hit back three minutes later when Fraser Franks miscued to the back post where Charlie Lee tapped home from close range.
Plymouth were back in front when Jervis jinked his way down the right and crossed for Wylde to plant a header into the roof of the net.
The Pilgrims bombarded the Stevenage box with Kelvin Mellor letting fly with a sizzling strike that flashed past the far post and Wylde was also only just off target from the edge of the box.
Plymouth continued to carry the greater threat and Reuben Reid latched on to Carl McHugh’ clip forward before forcing Day into a finger-tip save. And they almost lead at the break underlined just how dangerous they are going forward. They were given a torrid time early in the stretched their lead in comical circumstances on 33 minutes when Ronnie Henry tried to clear Reid’s cross only to smash it straight at team-mate Fraser Franks and the ball clipped the crossbar.
Stevenage wasted a chance to level eight minute before the interval, new signing Aaron O’Connor heading Tom Conlon’s corner over.
And they were left to rue that miss as Plymouth went down the other end to open a two-goal cushion. McHugh slipped the ball into the path of Tanner and he produced an accomplished finish high into the net.
Soon after Wylde found Tanner and his bouncing effort dropped inches wide before the midfielder second half until Stevenage ran out of steam, and they were comfortable in the closing stages.
Pilgrims boss Derek Adams will be hoping he gets creative playmaker Graham Carey back from tested Day with a low drive from inside the box.
Luke McCormick plunged to his left to push Lee’s close-range strike to safety as Stevenage tore into Plymouth after the break.
And the visitors punished slack Argyle defending four minutes into the second half after Lee slid in to convert Dean Parrett’s right-wing cross.
O’Connor’s powerful hit drew a save out of McCormick and Argyle were made to weather a Stevenage storm.
But the hosts regained their grip on the game midway through the half and Day pulled off two smart saves to deny Oscar Threlkeld and Ryan Brunt in quick succession.
Stevenage boss Teddy Sheringham fears his side are being dragged into a relegation battle after going six games without a win. injury soon to give his side a fresh attacking dimension, while Stevenage manager Teddy Sheringham will take positives as his new-look side mounted a spirited second-half recovery.
“I am very disappointed full stop. We played some good stuff at times but we have to stay switched on for the whole game,” he said.
“We were poor in a lot of stuff we did in the first half and we needed a reaction. I am pleased we got that but it was too little too late.
“It is about desire and digging in when things are tough. We were a bit too easy to play against and that is why we have ended up with nothing out of the game.
“It is all about bouncing back now and realising we are in a relegation battle.”