Argyle break season's duck with fine win at Cheltenham

Cheltenham Town 1

Matt Richards 72

Plymouth Argyle 3

Morgan 18 Hourihane 27 Boco 38

Sky Bet League Two, Saturday 17 August 2013

After two league defeats, Argyle's finally found their form to kick-start their season with a victory at Cheltenham's Whaddon Road ground.

Cheltenham managed a late consolation goal courtesy of Matt Richards, but the Pilgrims were more than worthy victors after an impressive display.

The Greens were boosted by Guy Branston's recovery from injury and presence in the heart of the defence, though Maxime Blanchard was absent due to a family bereavement.

Plymouth's goals all came in a busy first half. Marvin Morgan headed home after 17 minutes, Conor Hourihane made it two with 26 minutes on the clock and Romy Boco added the vital third on 37 minutes after an assist from Reuben Reid.

Cheltenham were without Jamie Cureton, the veteran striker signed from Exeter in the summer. Their goal came direct from a free-kick conceded by Marvin Morgan giving them a sniff of a chance of a remarkable comeback, but Plymouth remained solid and Dominic Blizzard might have added a fourth to top a fine display.

It was the first time the Pilgrims have scored three goals in the first half of an away game for ten years, which underlines the achievement and reignites this season's high hopes for John Sheridan's rebuilt squad.

For a full match report, visit the Plymouth Argyle website www.pafc.co.uk/.

Cheltenham Town (4-4-2): 1 Scott Brown; 20 Sido Jombati, 6 Steve Elliott, 5 Troy Brown, 22 Craig Braham-Barrett; 11 Jermaine McGlashin, 16 Russ Penn (capt), 14 Matt Richards, 8 Sam Deering (19 Zack Kotwica 56); 23 Steven Gillespie (21 Ashley Vincent 66), 9 Byron Harrison (24 Bobbie Dale 82). Substitutes (not used): 2 Keith Lowe, 4 Jason Taylor, 12 Connor Roberts (gk), 15 Ryan Inniss.

Booked: Braham-Barrett 49

Plymouth Argyle (4-4-2): 23 Luke McCormick; 17 Curtis Nelson, 5 Guy Branston, 16 Neal Trotman, 2 Durrell Berry, 7 Lewis Alessandra (27 Andres Gurrieri 90), 6 Conor Hourihane (capt), 11 Dominic Blizzard (14 Luke Young 90), 8 Romuald Boco; 9 Reuben Reid (18 Tyler Harvey 68), 10 Marvin Morgan. Substitutes (not used): 3 Andre Blackman, 22 Jamie Richards, 25 Ben Purrington, 31 Andrew Hannah (gk).

Booked: Branston 37, Blizzard 50, Harvey 90.

Attendance: 3,460 (892 away)

Referee: Charles Breakspear