SARCEVIC PILES PAIN ON THE U’S
ANTONI Sarcevic marked his first Plymouth Argyle start with the winner as the League Two promotion-chasers condemned Cambridge to a third successive defeat.
Sarcevic, who came on at Yeovil in midweek, scored the only goal of an entertaining game just before half-time, heading in a Graham Carey cross.
But it was the Green Army’s backline that really impressed, repeatedly throwing bodies in the way as a determined Cambridge side ramped up the pressure in a bid to force an equaliser.
“The new players came in and worked extremely hard, and it was a really good performance all round,” said Plymouth boss Derek Adams.
“I thought the first half was the best we’ve played for a long while. In the second half they launched the ball forward, and we had to deal with it.
“They put a lot of pressure on you up front, and we coped with that well.”
Argyle will now head off to Spain for a training camp ahead of the Devon derby against Exeter next week.
“It’s about getting us focused with 18 games to go, and offers us a great opportunity do some hot weather training in excellent facilities,” Adams added.
Cambridge fielded two new players of their own, and one of them – midfielder Liam O’Neil – saw a controlled half-volley clip the bar as the U’s applied some early pressure.
Plymouth soon played their way into the match, and Will Norris had to be at his best to deny Sarcevic and Matthew Kennedy.
The only goal came in the 41st minute, when the dangerous Carey got to the by-line and chipped in a cross which was headed home by Sarcevic, who arrived at Home Park last month after being released by Shrewsbury.
Carey then had to be alert to clear a header from Cambridge centre-back Scott Wharton off the line.
And after the restart the same player was again left frustrated when David Fox stopped his goalbound effort.
Luke McCormick also made a fine save from sub Paul Lewis.
“I’m so frustrated we didn’t get anything out of this game,” said Cambridge manager Shaun Derry, whose team have slipped to 12th in the table.
“Plymouth are a good side, but so are we, and we know we can go and compete with the top seven.
“I’m not sure what we could have done differently out there, so I’m proud of the team in that sense.
“I was brought to this club to take it to the next level. “We know what it’s like to be in the play-off places now, and it’s up to us to get back in there and stay there.”