Pilgrims Thwart City Progress

Now the moving of this game to a Monday night by Sky TV, had given many City supporters the excuse not to bother making the trek to Home Park.

Thankfully,my suggestion and backed by others of using some of the Sky money received to subsidise the coaches had been accepted by the club and some seventy supporters including myself only had to pay £10 for this 440 mile and nine hour round trip.

On the way down to Devon, there was much discussion of the decision to sack Micky Adams and the appointment of caretaker manager Adrian Heath.

Whilst Adams, who left the club without any fuss, was given time and money, the Stoke supporter will not have that luxury and will have to use the games he is in charge for in order to impress the board and its supporters.

Heath, ably assisted by Darren Robinson,brought back David McNamee into defence,played Stephen Hughes in midfield alongside Chris Birchall,Doyle and Tabb with Adebola and Stern John up front.

With kick off delayed due to floodlight problems,around 300 noisy City supporters inside Home Park were in fine form doing their best to spur on the team who were on the attack early doors but failing to beat Plymouth's off-side trap.

In the 17th minute, Plymouth made their first attack of the match down the right.

The Home Park fans on a bitter night, appealed for a handball against Robert Page but the ball was slipped back to Kevin Gallen to stroke home a low drive which Luke Steele should have got but didn't.

City's reply was instant. Less than four minutes after going behind.they were level thanks to a lovely through ball from Stern John being threaded out to Jay Tabb on the left. The Irishman drove the ball low across the goal where Chris Birchall was waiting to smack into the net.

Our celebrations caused the stand to vibrate and more songs flowed from the away end including some Anti-Sky TV abuse.

Back on the pitch and Coventry kid Luke McCormack smothered as the hard working Adebola advanced.

But in the 32nd minute, City's defence backed off and allowed Akos Buzaky to get in a long ranger. Again,it looked a stoppable shot but Steele could not prevent the ball from going into the net.

Coming towards the end of what was an entertaining first half for the 9841 crowd.Andy Whing and Michael Doyle were cautioned, Plymouth won two corners and Chris Birchall had a shot saved for a corner.

One former boss not linked with the job is Ron Atkinson and on a midweek show,he said that City would struggle to go up with their current players.

Although some of you may find his words harsh, they came true to a certain extent when Plymouth with Lillian Nallis in midfield, went further ahead two minutes after the restart.

Robert Page, whose form has dipped since he was appointed captain, failed to stop a ball reaching Barry Hayles on the edge of the area.

With only Steele to beat the former Millwall striker curled high into the net.

Under Heath,the players seemed to find a bit of fight that had been missing from the despotic Adams era.

Kevin Thornton and Michael Mifsud were sent on to push City forward. The introduction of the pair to assist the hard working Hughes & Doyle brought another goal for City in the 70th minute when Michael Mifsud scored his first goal for the Sky Blues when he hit home with a stunning right footed volley from an Adebola knock down.

Again,this was well celebrated by the City supporters who were now singing for the manager of their choice. Kev Monks was one of the names chanted and whilst I was flattered, I don't think Mr Fletcher will be scrutinising my CV.

Luke McCormack made a great save from a 72nd minute deflected Thornton free kick and in the 89th minute,a Mifsud shot won a corner.

But the conceding of more soft goals had taken it's toll and City could not get the point they deserved from this game.

HT PAFC 2-1 CCFC FT PAFC 3-2 CCFC ATT 9841

Goals Kevin Gallen (17). Chris Birchall (21),Akos Buzaky (32),Barry Hayles (47),Michael Mifsud (70)

Referee S.Tanner Booked Page, Whing,Doyle,Buzacky,Adebola,Thornton,Sawyer

Team
Steele,Whing,Hall.Page,McNamee,Tabb (Mifsud 61),Doyle,Hughes,Birchall (Thornton 61).Adebola,John SNU Lee-Barrett,Kyle.Virgo

Plymouth
McCormack,Nallis,Aljofree,Norris,Buzacky (Ebanks-Blake 81),Hayles (Fallon 81),Halmosi (Sinclair 75),Gallen,Sawyer,Seip,Connolly SNU Hodges,Summerfield