LEAGUE ONE Plymouth Argyle 1 Barnsley 3

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Last Updated on Sunday, 03 August 2025 09:44

Published on Saturday, 02 August 2025 17:22

Written by ROSS REID at Home Park

Makeshift striker Caleb Watts was goal-scoring player of the match as Tom Cleverley's new-look Plymouth Argyle lost at home to Conor Hourihane's Barnsley on the opening day of the new League One season.

Watts had a deft fifth minute effort, from Xavier Amaechi’s cross, ruled out for a foul in the build-up of the greens first attack.

Barnsley responded and took a 13^th minute lead when skipper Luca Connell sent a superbly flighted free kick across the Argyle penalty area from wide out on the left. The ball hit home midfielder Brendan Wiredu and flew-in at the far post.

New keeper Luca Ashby-Hammond had little chance with that goal and less with the Tykes’ second.

Barnsley playmaker Adam Phillips’ struck with a technically brilliant volley to make it 2-0 in the 30^th minute.

Argyle defender Victor Palsson looped a header up in the greens’ penalty area and the ball fell to Phillips, who let fly with a thumping first-timer, that flew across the angle of the box into the far corner.

Barnsley keeper Murphy Cooper made a brilliant 40^th minute save to flap over Watts’ goal-bound header from Kornel Szucs’ superb cross. 

The Argyle attacker – who later admitted he “could have had four” – was not to be denied.

The 23-year-old debutant made it 2-1 in the 50^th minute hammering in from close range as Barnsley’s defence failed to clear another Palsson looping header.

Barnsley central defender Jack Shepherd saw red for a second bookable offence (handball) on 63 minutes.

Davis Keillor-Dunn latched on to a clearance from keeper Cooper and slotted home Barnsley’s third on 83 minutes as Argyle’s defence – bereft of injured fans’ favourites Julio Pleguezuelo and first-choice keeper Conor Hazard - was again found wanting.

SWSN Star Caleb Watts

Attendance 16,483 (888 Barnsley)

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