Preview: Plymouth Argyle

22 March 2022

Victory over AFC Wimbledon on Saturday moved Cheltenham Town into the top half of League One, but on Tuesday another huge test lies in wait as the Robins head south to Plymouth Argyle (kick-off: 7.45pm).

The Pilgrims are flying in League One and have been on an unstoppable winning streak of late.

So the first of back-to-back away matches in the space of five days for Cheltenham couldn't get much tougher if you look at the current form table in the third tier.

Boosted by another important three points, the team will head down to Devon looking to put an end to Plymouth's fine winning run.

Team news

Midfielder Conor Thomas is edging closer to fitness as he targets a return to the side after a recent calf problem.

Forward Charlie Brown is also making progress, however Dan Nlundulu, Kion Etete and Ben Williams (pictured) are all out of contention for the game.

Aaron Ramsey is on international duty with England under-19s and will not be available.

Media talk

Manager Michael Duff spoke to the media on Monday about Tuesday's game and recognises the size of task that faces his side.

"It is a tough place to go. It is hard to win in this League away from home - we've proved that already," he said.

"We've had three (away) wins all season. We know we're going to have to be at our best.

"We are going to have to be better than we were on Saturday and we'll have to be better than what we were against Morecambe as well.

"We've seen quite a lot of them. I don't think they're going to come away too much from what they do because it's quite clearly proved to be very successful."

Watch the full press conference with Duff for free on iFollow.

Opposition

Plymouth are flying and have launched themselves up to 4th in League One after a run of five straight wins.

Morecambe, AFC Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth and most recently Accrington Stanley have all suffered defeat at the hands of the Pilgrims in the last few weeks.

They hammered Accrington 4-0 on Saturday in front of a crowd of over 13,000 and have Scottish forward Ryan Hardie in red hot form having found the back of the net 19 times this season.

He is joined in their attack by the likes of Panutche Camará, who spent time at the Africa Cup of Nations recently and may miss the game again due to international commitments, Swansea City loanee Jordon Garrick and Wales under-21 international Luke Jephcott.

Key experience and quality is also provided in their ranks by Danny Mayor, Gloucester born captain Joe Edwards, and the likes of Jordan Houghton and one-time Wales international defender James Wilson.

Robins fans will be familiar with Ryan Broom. The Welshman is on a season-long loan from Championship side Peterborough United at Home Park.

The manager: Steve Schumacher

Appointed manager at the start of December, Steve Schumacher stepped up from his role as assistant manager to take on the top job after Ryan Lowe departed the club to become manager of Championship outfit Preston North End.

It's his first senior managerial position having previously worked as a coach at Bury under Lowe, as well as in the academy at Everton. He did however have a temporary stint in charge of Southport at the end of a playing career that saw the Liverpudlian play as a midfielder for the likes of Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra and Fleetwood Town.

He's assisted by former Cheltenham manager Keith Downing who joined Argyle the same month Schumacher was appointed manager.

Tickets & travel

Fans can purchase tickets on the night at Home Park. Prices go up by £2 on matchday to the following prices:

Adult £22
Senior (65+) £18
Under 23 £14
Under 18 £9
Under 12 £7*
Under 8 £3*

*Can only be purchased with a paying adult or concession. Admittance will be refused to any under 12 or under 8 with under 18s or on their own.

If you haven't picked up your tickets ahead of the game they'll be available to collect from the Barn Park turnstiles, B20 to 25.

Supporters booked on the Travel Club coach are reminded that it leaves from the car park at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 3.30pm.

If you are driving to the match there is a limited amount of free parking available just outside the stadium in the Outland Road car park.

Any disabled fans requiring assistance on the day are asked that they contact DLO, Nikki Francis, on disability@pafc.co.uk or 01752 562561 ext 152 prior to match day.

If you are looking for something to eat or drink, Plymouth operate a 25% discount on all products bought inside the stadium between 5.45pm and 6.30pm.

Coverage

Social media: Keep a track of the game on socials by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter. You can also check out the latest score on Facebook and Instagram

Watch: Purchase a match pass for £10 online and watch the game in full on iFollow

Listen: You can buy an audio match pass for £2.50 on iFollow for full match commentary

Website: Post-game check out the match report online and see the reaction from the manager and players

Highlights: You'll be able to see extended highlights exclusively on iFollow. Shorter highlights are available on Sky Sports and YouTube

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Robins

22 March 2022

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Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town - Extended highlights - Tue 22nd March 2022

Extended highlights of Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town, Tue 22nd March 2022 in the Sky Bet League One

A Plymouth Argyle side who recorded their sixth straight win in League One proved tough opposition as Cheltenham Town fell to defeat at Home Park.

First half goals from Niall Ennis and Danny Mayor saw Argyle seal another three points in their pursuit of promotion to the Championship.

There were two changes to the team that had defeated AFC Wimbledon at the weekend with Mattie Pollock returning to the side with Lewis Freestone also in the starting XI due to Ben Williams' injury absence.

With the hosts high on confidence, it was actually the Robins who threatened early on. Elliot Bonds, Alfie May and Matty Blair all had opportunities, but with their first meaningful attack Plymouth took the lead.

Ennis cut in from the left and drilled a low shot that speared in via the far post.

They threatened again only for Owen Evans to tip an effort around the post, while following two May half-chances a Ryan Hardie shot for the hosts was deflected just wide.

Five minutes before the break Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper made a crucial double save to prevent Blair from finding the net, but within two minutes Argyle had doubled their lead.

Hardie's set for Mayor looked to have come off his arm, but what followed was a wonderful looping finish that nestled in the back of the net from 20 yards.

After half time Hardie threatened again but saw his low hit saved by Evans, while Blair's dipping attempt from distance led to Cooper's first save of the second half.

The Argyle goalkeeper had Gloucester born Joe Edwards to thank for a goal line stop from a Sean Long throw in which Will Boyle looked like he'd guided into the bottom corner.

Substitute Charlie Colkett's volleyed effort didn't drop enough before going over the bar and May's header hit the back of the net late on, only to be ruled out by the raised flag of the assistant referee as the hosts ended the night not only with all three points but a clean sheet too.

PLYMOUTH: M Cooper, J Bolton, M Gillesphey, J Houghton, J Wilson, R Broom, J Edwards (S Sessegnon 80), R Hardie, D Mayor (A Randell 70), N Ennis (J Garrick 84), C Grant

Subs not used: C Burton, R Law, R Crichlow, F Issaka

ROBINS: O Evans, C Raglan, M Pollock (G Lloyd 58), W Boyle, S Long, L Freestone, E Bonds (C Colkett 53), L Sercombe (E Chapman 75), C Wright, A May, M Blair

Subs not used: S Flinders, C Thomas, A Williams, R Hutchinson

REFEREE: Chris Pollard

ATTENDANCE: 12,274 (179 Robins)

Ticket News

Tickets & travel: Plymouth Argyle

10 March 2022

Tickets and away travel for the match at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday 22 March are on sale.

It's a trip down the M5 to Devon to take on Argyle at Home Park for the Robins.

Cheltenham's last visit in September 2019 led to a 2-0 win, while the previous meeting between the teams this season came on Boxing Day with Argyle collecting all three points.

Ticket prices for the match are as follows:

Adult £20
Senior (65+) £16
Under 23 £12
Under 18 £7
Under 12 £5*
Under 8 £1*

*Can only be purchased with a paying adult or concession. Admittance will be refused to any under 12 or under 8 with under 18s or on their own.

Proof of age will be requested at point of entry for concession tickets.

Please note that ticket prices increase by £2 on the day.

The Travel Club coach heading to the match leaves from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium car park at 3.30pm. A seat on the coach is £20/£18 for non-members, £18/£16 for members and £8 for Junior Robins.

Tickets and away travel are available to purchase online for the match or you can buy when visiting the ticket office during opening hours.

A total of 5% of income from fans buying tickets through the club will go back to Cheltenham.

If you don't pick up your tickets ahead of the game they'll be available to collect from turnstile 22 at Plymouth on the night.

Fans are advised that Home Park is an all-seater stadium and as part of Plymouth's stadium license they required fans to sit during the game.