Mumba's Ipswich Reaction

On Saturday, for the second time this season, Norwich City loanee Bali Mumba scored for Argyle against Ipswich Town.

For the second time, it was a goal to make the game 1-1, but unlike the goal at Home Park, which preceded a winner midway through the second half, this was an injury-time leveller that earned Argyle a point.

‘Earned’ being the operative word. It would have been hard on Argyle to lose the game, as they played their part in another pulsating encounter between two of Sky Bet League One’s leading sides. The draw means leaders Argyle stay seven points of Ipswich, who are third, and have played a game fewer.

Mumba’s goal saw him receive a pass from substitute Finn Azaz near the edge of the area in an inside right position. Bali cut onto his left foot and drove a shot which found the top corner.

After his accuracy from his shooting boots, Mumba’s radar to find the assembled Green Army, numbering around 2,100, was a little slower to find its range, but he got there in the end!

“I ran one way and then thought ‘no, everyone is this way!’” he laughed, speaking to Argyle TV after the game.

“I enjoyed it. It was a great atmosphere, great support, a sell-out. I always want to bring smiles to the fans' faces, and I was happy to do that.

“I think some of the boys are always saying: ‘cross it, cross it!’

“Once I got the ball in the middle and I managed to take my touch in, my eyes lit up. There was only one option there, in my mind, which was to shoot. Thankfully, it went in.

“You've got to still stay patient and composed when you've got the ball in dangerous areas. The belief is always there, we never stop believing until the last minute. You can see on the pitch everyone encouraging everyone to keep pushing, keep digging in.

“In the end, something came up and we took it.

“It was a huge game; one of those games where everyone had to turn up and the whole team did that.

“Both teams played well. It’s disappointing about getting the 1-1 draw, but that's part of the game. We dug deep and we are always believing, always staying positive no matter the game. We’ve been on a good spell where we haven't lost for quite a while. That's a boost, going into the next game. This game will give us a boost.”

Argyle lost their first two away games of the league season, but are unbeaten on their travels since then. The Ipswich draw came after a week that began with a creditable point at Bolton Wanderers, and was followed by a win at Bristol Rovers which meant Argyle advanced to the semi-final stage of the Papa Johns Trophy.

“If someone told me at the start of the week we would be unbeaten, I would have taken that. We had a couple of tough games, but had good results. We have a little bit of a break and hopefully we can go again and keep digging these results out.”