Preview: Plymouth Argyle (A)

20 September 2019

Cheltenham journey to one of League Two's biggest names on Saturday, looking to build on the fantastic three game winning run that sees the team third in the table heading into the weekend (kick-off: 3pm).

Plymouth Argyle are the opponents for the second of two matches against teams competing in League One last season in the space of five days.

Michael Duff's side succcessfully bypassed Bradford City on Tuesday evening at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium and full of confidence now venture to Home Park looking to build on the confidence of winning away at Salford last time on the team's travels.

Team news

Defender Will Boyle may be involved in the squad this weekend for the first time since the opening day of the season having recovered from a calf injury.

Max Sheaf, Rohan Ince, Josh Debayo and Reuben Reid are expected to miss out with injury problems.

Watch Michael Duff's press conference ahead of Saturday's game:

Opposition

Plymouth started their first season back in League Two since the 2016/17 campaign with three straight wins in all competitions, however they enter into Saturday's affair having not won in the league in their last four outings.

Ryan Lowe's side are keen to get back to winning ways and will be targeting an opportunity to do just that on Saturday in what's sure to be a tasty battle between a Cheltenham side who have started well, and an Argyle outfit who will be hoping to be right up there at the end of the season.

Lowe (pictured) made the switch to become manager at Home Park in the summer after leaving Bury, who he guided to promotion to League One last season.

He's looking to achieve the same feat for a second season in a row and he's taken many of the players who helped him enjoy success with the Shakers last season with him to Saturday's opponents.

Most notably Danny Mayor has headed south, as well as the likes of Dom Telford, Byron Moore and Callum McFadzean.

They are additions to a squad that already included talents such as Antoni Saracevic, Joel Grant and skipper Gary Sawyer from their League One side last season.

Gloucester born Joe Edwards brings versatility to their line-up, while ex-Everton youngster Jose Baxter possesses plenty of quality the Robins back-line will have to watch out for on Saturday.

Last time out they drew 2-2 at Crawley and they head into the game 12th in League Two having picked up 12 points from nine games.

Previous meetings

Since the Robins promotion to the Football League in the late nineties Plymouth have been a regular opponent. In all competitions the two clubs have met 21 times since a first meeting in November 1999.

Argyle boast the majority of positive results having won 12 of those contests. There have been three draws while Cheltenham have come out on top on six occasions.

Plymouth head into Saturday having claimed victory in the last four clashes. The last game between the two came in January 2017 when Sonny Bradley's stoppage time winner helped Argyle to three points.

Revisit that afternoon by watching the highlights below:

Tickets & travel

Fans have until 3pm on Friday to buy advance away tickets and to book away travel for Saturday's match. Ticket prices go up by £2 if you buy on matchday at Plymouth.

Supporter who have booked on the Travel Club coaches are reminded that the coach leaves from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 10am.

If you are making the trip then check out Plymouth's useful guide for away fans.

Coverage

Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news, updates and pictures throughout the day. You can also keep up to date on the score by checking out the official CTFC Facebook page.

Check out the club website for a report and reaction from inside the camp to the result.

Listen to match commentary on iFollow online.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Robins

21 September 2019

Apologies, this video is unvailable.

Cheltenham Town made it back-to-back away wins and four straight victories with a fantastic away performance at Plymouth Argyle.

Luke Varney's first half header and a late deflected strike from Ryan Broom saw Michael Duff's men continue their stunning form in front of a crowd of just under 9,000 at Home Park.

Once again the same starting XI guaranteed consistency as the Robins also made it two away clean sheets in a row.

A lively opening saw Chris Hussey clip the top of the crossbar after just two minutes. His lifted effort from a wide angle followed Varney almost getting in when presented with a good early chance.

The home side found their feet and began a number of dangerous attacks. Firstly Dom Telford burst through and forced Scott Flinders into a save and Danny Mayor then saw Ben Tozer's block deny him the chance to squeeze in a shot at the near post.

Tozer made another great stop when Callum McFadzean flew down the left, while George Cooper's free kick was confidently stopped by Flinders ten minutes before the break.

It was five minutes before the half time interval though that Cheltenham scored the games first goal against the run of play.

Charlie Raglan's lay-off to Sean Long saw the Irishman drive a teasing cross into the box that Varney expertly headed in at the back post.

Argyle thought they'd equalised on 45 minutes when Will Aimson headed in a Cooper corner, however referee Scott Oldham ruled the goal out for a foul in the box.

After the break Antoni Sarcevic and Mayor produced shots on the Robins goal that provided little threat, while for the second time in the afternoon Cheltenham hit the bar. Hussey's cross from the left reached Gavin Reilly and the striker headed onto the woodwork.

Just before the hour mark Flinders reacted well to make a good save with his legs from McFadzean after Mayor had teed him up, while the latter fired an effort across goal shortly after as they continued their search for a leveller.

The early second half pressure that had been applied by the hosts cooled, and it was in fact Cheltenham who had the next big chance as Conor Thomas picked out Varney with a pass, only for him to drag a shot wide.

Plymouth changed their shape in an attempt to find a way through but were scuppered by a resolute Robins who defended well and earned their reward in stoppage time.

Jacob Greaves winning tackle in the middle of the park set substitute Alex Addai clear, and after he had exchanged passes with Jonte Smith he found Broom, who via a heavy deflection doubled the lead and capped a perfect away performance.

PLYMOUTH: Palmer, Sawyer, Aimson, Sarcevic, Edwards, Mayor, Telford (Taylor 26), Joel Grant (Randell 72), McFadzean, Josh Grant, G Cooper (Lolos 85)

Subs not used: M Cooper, Wootton, Canavan, C Grant

ROBINS: Flinders, Long, Hussey, Raglan, Tozer, Greaves, Thomas, Broom, Doyle-Hayes (Clements 46), Varney (Smith 89), Reilly (Addai 62)

Subs not used: Lovett, Bowry, Boyle, Lloyd

REFEREE: Scott Oldham

ATTENDANCE: 8,956 (250 Robins)

Ticket News

Tickets & travel: Plymouth Argyle

13 September 2019

Tickets and away travel for Cheltenham's upcoming away fixture at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 21 September are available to purchase from the ticket office.

The match at Home Park kicks off at 3pm in what will be the Robins first game at the home of the Pilgrims since they were relegated from League One at the end of last season.

Ticket prices for the match are as follows:

Adults	£23
Concessions (over 65, under 23)	£18
Under 18	£9
Under 12 (accompanied by adult/concession)	£6
Under 8 (acompanied by adult/concession)	£3

Book on the Travel Club coach making the journey. It departs from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 10.00am.

Prices are £18/£16 for members, £20/£18 for non-members and £8 for Junior Robins.

The ticket office is open from 10am till 3pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the stadium and also on the phone by ringing 01242 573558 (option 1).

A useful away guide for Cheltenham fans making the trip is available online telling you everything you need to know about a visit to Home Park.

Cheltenham Town FC

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