CHAMPIONSHIP Plymouth Argyle 1 Portsmouth 0
- Details
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 November 2024 08:44
- Published on Tuesday, 05 November 2024 22:06
Second half substitute Michael Obafemi scored an 82nd minute solo goal to ignite this south coast meeting at sold out Home Park.
The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland striker muscled Pompey skipper Regan Poole off a long through ball from Argyle keeper Dan Grimshaw before smashing a first-time low strike into the corner past keeper Nicholas Schmid.
Argyle had an early scare when Portsmouth skipper Poole had a far post effort disallowed for offside.
Recalled playmaker Morgan Whittaker set up Argyle’s first attack of substance in the sixth minute with a brilliant break from deep inside his own half, before releasing the ball to Darko Gyabi.
Gyabi – like Whittaker another Rooney recall – sped the ball across the box to Rami Al Hajj, but the ball skidded off the attacking midfielder.
It took 10 minutes for Plymouth to force a corner but when they did Scmid’s punched clearance only flew as far as Hungarian central defender Kornel Szucs, who acrobatically sent the ball towards the top corner, where the Pompey keeper gathered safely.
Portsmouth had the better of the opening exchanges with left back Connor Ogilvie’s far post header saved on the line by Grimshaw as the blues forced another corner on 16 minutes.
Freddie Potts cross from the left on 35 minutes should have been converted but Portsmouth had better fortune with their next foray into the Plymouth penalty area.
Josh Murphy’s cross, again from the left, was acrobatically headed towards goal by diving Matt Ritchie.
Home keeper Grimshaw was equal to the effort.
That seemed to stir Plymouth, and at the other end, Gyabi went close when he latched on to an Andrew Gray goalwards header, first-timing just wide.
Just before half time Portsmouth’s Potts sent a long angled grass-cutter just wide of goal.
On 49 minutes it was Potts again, on target, as Argyle failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to the attacking midfielder. Grimshaw gathered safely.
Andre Dozzell let fly with a half volley on the run which flew just over Grimshaw’s bar from 20 yards on 54 minutes and seconds later Kusini Yengi sent an inviting, pacy cross across the face of goal that cried out for a far post finish.
Argyle’s best opportunity fell to experienced midfielder Jordan Houghton on 57 minutes, after he was teed up just inside the box. Houghton kept his shot low and to the corner but Schmid at full stretch managed to tip the ball around his post.
A 63rd minute Whittaker solo effort was ruled out for offside but then came that late winner.
Victory extended Argyle's unbeaten home run to five matches and edged the greens up to 20th.
SWSN star Michael Obafemi
Attendance 16, 647 (1,143 away fans)
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