Western Morning News

Pilgrims take advantage of a weakened Terriers

- CHRIS ERRINGTON chris.errington@reachplc.com

RYAN Lowe insisted he would always respect the FA Cup after Plymouth Argyle moved into round four with a 3-2 win at Huddersfie­ld Town.

Lowe selected his strongest possible side for the third round tie at the John Smith’s Stadium, unlike Huddersfie­ld head coach Carlos Corberan.

The Spaniard opted to give many of the Championsh­ip club’s promising young players a chance at senior level.

Huddersfie­ld’s starting line-up showed 11 changes from their previous game, which Lowe admitted had made it tricky for him and his players to know what to expect from them.

Argyle twice went behind in the first half, which included a headed goal from defender Romoney Crichlow in only the fourth minute.

However, goals from Ryan Hardie and Panutche Camara had the League One visitors level at 2-2 by the break.

Skipper Joe Edwards then secured their place in the last 32 with a 71st minute matchwinne­r.

Lowe said: “It was a great performanc­e from our lads. I thought they were brilliant in everything they done.

“To go a goal down early on against Championsh­ip opposition is never easy to take, but we adapted well afterwards.

“We were on the front foot, which we wanted to be. We counteratt­acked very well and scored three fantastic goals.

“You have got to beat what’s in front of you, and we have certainly done that, so I’m pleased.”

Corberan gave Huddersfie­ld debuts to defender Mustapha Olagunju and striker Pat Jones in the starting line-up against Argyle.

Lowe made only two changes, and one of them was enforced with injured midfielder Lewis Macleod replaced by Tyrese Fornah.

The other alteration to their side saw Jerome Opoku preferred to Niall Canavan in the centre of defence.

Lowe said: “Sometimes it’s tough when the opposition make a lot of changes like that, when you have planned and worked on who you think they are going to play, and then it’s a totally different team.

“I thought the attitude of our lads to concentrat­e throughout the 95-96 minutes was different class.

“It’s never easy. A lot of teams play youngsters in the FA Cup but I think this competitio­n is one of the biggest in the world, for me.

“As a manager, I will always respect it and always play the strongest team I can because it’s nice when you can get to the fourth round of the FA Cup.”

Hardie has been working hard up front and providing assists but, this time, it was his turn to get on the scoresheet.

Only his third goal of the season came in the 24th minute and put Argyle level at 1-1.

The on-loan Blackpool striker received a pass from Luke Jephcott and took one touch of the ball before shooting past ‘keeper Ben Hamer at his near post.

Lowe hoped that well-taken goal would provide a boost of confidence for Hardie.

He said: “I’m pleased for him because he thinks about things quite a bit. I told him ‘Look, don’t worry about it’ and when he’s off the cuff he’s excellent.”

Hardie had been at fault for Huddersfie­ld’s opening goal when Crichlow beat him to the ball as it was crossed into the Argyle penalty area.

Lowe said: “I gave him a bit of a rollicking because I thought he should have done better, he should have headed it. We told him there were chances for him because of his pace and power, and I was pleased for him to get his goal. Hopefully that can drive him on now.”

Aaron Rowe fired Huddersfie­ld into a 2-1 lead with a tremendous 25-yard strike, only for Camara to equalise shortly before half-time.

He applied the finishing touch after some excellent approach play from Danny Mayor.

Camara had also scored in the 1-0 home League One victory over Gillingham the previous Saturday.

Lowe said: “He’s in a rich vein of form at the moment. We have worked with Panutche loads on the training pitch to get into those areas.

“You have seen his two goals now - they were almost identical. The one last week he was coming onto it, this one he has had to have a little bit more calm and composure, it was ricocheted, and he has finished it well.”

The winning goal for Argyle came when Edwards, their right wingback, ended up around the Huddersfie­ld six-yard area and slotted home a pass from Mayor.

“That’s the workrate I want from the boys,” said Lowe. “It’s hard work - I’m sometimes screaming and shouting at them.

“But I always say hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

“My players have got plenty of talent but they have got to work their socks off. We have got five subs we can use.”

Lowe added: “That’s where I want my wing-backs, getting in the box to score goals.

“I think Joe has scored four or five goals now. Conor (Grant) has scored a few, and George (Cooper) scored a few last season.

“Whoever plays on those flanks, it’s hard work and we want that.”

 ?? George Wood/Getty Images ?? Argyle’s Joe Edwards slides in the winning goal at Huddersfie­ld Town
George Wood/Getty Images Argyle’s Joe Edwards slides in the winning goal at Huddersfie­ld Town

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom