Greens left feeling blue: First day defeat for Argyle at Southend

Southend United 1
Corr 15

Plymouth Argyle 0

Football League Two, Saturday 3 August 2013

It was not the positive start that Argyle wanted. Wearing their new light blue away kit, a narrow defeat at Southend was decided by a goal 15 minutes into the new season.

Fielding five new signings as well as two returning players in the shape of striker Reuben Reid and goalkeeper Luke McCormick, manager John Sheridan backed his pre-season squad shake-up.

But the re-built team failed to spark and Southend's goal came when a swift interchange of passes managed to split Argyle's defence, leaving striker Barry Corr time to slot the ball home.

Thereafter, Argyle offered little in the way of an attacking threat with only a few speculative long range shots offered at Daniel Bentley's home goal.

McCormick was tested in the Plymouth goal, making a couple of important saves, but the team could not summon a clear cut chance at the other end and so the much anticipated season opener ended in defeat.

With defender Paul Wotton taking a knock and not returning after half time to compound the day's frustrations, Argyle will look to begin again at home to Fleetwood Town next Saturday.

Before that they travel to Birmingham City in their first round Capital Cup tie on Tuesday evening.

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

Match Stats

Southend United (4-4-2): 17 Daniel Bentley; 2 John White (capt), 5 Mark Phillips, 6 Luke Prosser, 3 Ben Coker; 12 Will Atkinson, 4 Marc Laird, 18 Ryan Leonard, 11 Anthony Straker; 10 Barry Corr (Conor Clifford 86), 7 Freddy Eastwood (9 Craig Reid 68). Substitutes (not used): 1 Paul Smith (gk), 8 Michael Timlin, 19 Julian Bennett, 20 Seedy Njie, 21 Jack Payne.

Plymouth Argyle (4-4-2): 23 Luke McCormick; 2 Durrell Berry, 15 Paul Wotton (22 Jamie Richards half-time), 17 Curtis Nelson, 3 Andre Blackman; 7 Lewi Alessandra, 6 Conor Hourihane (c), 11 Dominic Blizzard (14 Luke Young 76), 8 Rommy Boco; 10 Marvin Morgan, 9 Reuben Reid (18 Tyler Harvey 71). Substitutes (not used): 1 Jake Cole (gk), 24 Isaac Vassell, 25 Ben Purrington, 30 Ryan Lane.

Booked: Berry 69, Morgan 72

Referee: Rob Lewis

Attendance: 7,055 (1,146 away)