Argyle’s hard work pays off with Cobblers victory
PRACTICE made perfect for Plymouth Argyle in their 2-1 victory over Northampton Town at Home Park.
Ryan Lowe had focused on corners during training because Northampton defend using zonal marking.
The Pilgrims’ boss thought his side could exploit that to their advantage, and he was proved right.
On-loan Newcastle United defender Kell Watts scored the 86th minute winning goal from a corner.
Northampton ‘keeper Steve Arnold failed to deal with the cross and Watts was lurking at the far post to put the ball into the empty net.
It secured a third win out of six League One games this season for the Pilgrims and moved them up to sixth spot in the table.
Lowe said: “We always knew today we would get a goal from a set play. We had worked on it all week - they are zonal marking from corners against.
“We felt we could maybe nick something around the back. It was a great delivery and Kelland is there to tap it in.
“It’s the work we have done through the week, so to win on a set play is pleasing, but just to win anyway and get three points is pleasing.”
Lowe revealed an increased emphasis was being placed on Argyle getting goals from corners and free-kicks this term by him and his coaching staff.
“Last season we felt we weren’t really going to score many, so we went short (from corners) quite a bit,” said the Pilgrims’ boss.
“Even today we played short and tried to get different balls from different angles in the second phase.
“But it’s something we have worked on. Schuey (assistant manager Steven Schumacher)and Nance (first team coach Kevin Nancekivell) have put a lot of work in this season.
“They are keeping a record of the best set pieces from last seasin, in League One and League Two, and how many we need.
“We are putting the work in to make sure we can score from these. We have got people who can provide great deliveries.
“We have scored a few now and long may that continue. We want that to.
“If you get your run right, if you get the cross right, there is a chance you can find yourself unopposed, when they are zonal, and you can put it in the net.
“Fortunate for us today it has worked because Kelland has found himself free at the back post.
“He still had to do a bit, but that’s the desire and the character of wanting to get on the ewnd of it.
“I have got a saying, if you want to score you will score - or you be there to score.
“I believe that is the key with the set plays as well. If we can continue what we are doing we will hopefully score plenty more.”
Watts has now scored twice for Argyle this season after also hitting the target in the 3-2 Carabao Cup second round defeat at Leyton Orient last month.
Lowe said: “He will get goals because he’s brave, and has the desire to get in there.
“I always say to the pretty boys ‘Go and get some stitches, go and get some scars’. I fancy us to get our bodies in those areas and get our heads on some crosses.”