REPORT | ARGYLE 2 MORECAMBE 1
Argyle 2
Ennis 69
Cosgrove 84
Morecambe 1
O’Connor 90
Argyle will spend Christmas Day at the top of Sky Bet League One and the biggest present was gifted by the wonderful groundstaff at Home Park.
After a gruelling week in bitter conditions, the pitch team led by head groundsman Chris Ralph used every weapon in their armoury to make a frosty pitch playable, and they were rewarded with a dominant Pilgrim victory.
Morecambe, inspired by a superb display from goalkeeper Connor Ripley, who saved a first-half penalty, had their resistance broken by a tremendous goal from Niall Ennis and substitute Sam Cosgrove wrapped up three festive points.
The visitors did give themselves some late Christmas cheer with a well-taken consolation from former Green Anthony O’Connor in stoppage time.
Argyle manager made five changes from the 0-0 draw at Cambridge, with Dan Scarr, Nigel Lonwijk, Ennis, Bali Mumba and Danny Mayor replacing Mickel Miller, Jordan Houghton, Ryan Hardie, Cosgrove and James Wilson.
Morgan Whittaker took less than 90 seconds to unleash from 25 yards, warming the hands of Ripley. Quick feet from Mumba, shifting inside from the left, created room for another Whittaker sighter, this time too high to trouble Ripley.
The Shrimps, managed by former Pilgrim boss Derek Adams, responded with a lovely curling effort from Jensen Weir, forcing Mike Cooper into a fine low save down to his left. Argyle were quickly back on the front-foot, Mumba racing on to a superb Macaulay Gillesphey pass to cut the ball back for Ennis, who was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Ryan Delaney.
Matt Butcher threaded another delicious pass inside the right-back for a Mumba cross on the run but Whittaker was just leaning back as he steered the shot over. Mayor, meanwhile, was beginning to torment with his mesmerising feet, with one surge falling loose for a dipping Joe Edwards half-volley held by Ripley.
Edwards was then released by a fabulous pass on the turn from Ennis and the skipper burst into the box before an effort palmed clear by Ripley. The Greens were turning the screw, as Mumba again crafted room on the left, finding a pass to Gillesphey for a right-foot scoop just past the top corner.
Mayor was next to have a pop, stabbing a 15-yarder down the throat of Ripley after good work from the influential Adam Randell. Morecambe briefly released the pressure with a decent strike from Liam Shaw that flew narrowly wide.
The Pilgrims were given their best chance of a dominant 45 minutes when Edwards was tripped by Jacob Bedeau for a penalty. Whittaker took responsibility, struck it well, but all the credit to Ripley for a brilliant save low to his left.
Argyle’s frustration continued after the break, Lonwijk slipping a super pass into the box for Edwards to lay-off to Whittaker, who skimmed the outside of the post. Ennis then jinked inside from the left and speared a low drive at the near-post, once again clasped by the outstanding Ripley.
A delightful weaving run from Mayor on the hour ended with a shot skewed narrowly wide and Schumacher looked to increase the attacking tempo even further with the introduction of Hardie for Butcher.
Houghton for Randell was the next Argyle change and the breakthrough finally arrived with 20 minutes remaining. Hardie stretched his legs down the left and fizzed a low cross to find the perfect near-post run by Ennis, who opened his foot to guide the ball past a terrific Ripley.
Unfortunately, Lonwijk then limped off with what looked like a hamstring complaint, replaced by Wilson. Cosgrove was also brought on for Ennis, while Morecambe manager Adams completed his quota of five subs in the search for an equaliser.
A rapid counter from Argyle almost sealed the win, as Cosgrove flashed over a tremendous cross but Hardie’s deft cushion over the sprawling Ripley spun agonisingly wide.
The game was over after a beautiful exchange on the left between Edwards and Mayor. The captain’s low cutback picked out Cosgrove, who calmly wrapped up the win with an assured low finish, despite O’Connor’s late goal for Morecambe.
Merry Christmas.
Argyle: 1 Mike Cooper; 3 Macaulay Gillesphey, 6 Dan Scarr, 7 Matt Butcher (9 Ryan Hardie 62), 8 Joe Edwards (capt), 10 Danny Mayor, 11 Niall Ennis (16 Sam Cosgrove 74), 17 Bali Mumba, 19 Morgan Whittaker, 20 Adam Randell (4 Jordan Houghton 66), 21 Nigel Lonwijk (5 James Wilson 74). Substitutes (not used): 25 Callum Burton (gk), 36 Finley Craske, 49 Caleb Roberts.
Booked:
Morecambe: 1 Connor Ripley (capt); 4 Liam Gibson, 6 Ryan Delaney (3 Max Melbourne 75), 9 Cole Stockton, 15 Jensen Weir (7 Jake Taylor 66), 16 Jacob Bedeau, 17 Caleb Watts (11 Dylan Connolly H-T), 20 Liam Shaw, 21 Ryan Cooney (2 Donald Love H-T), 22 Anthony O’Connor, 25 Adam Mayor (23 Kieran Phillips 75). Substitutes (not used): 12 Adam Smith (gk), 5 Farrend Rawson.
Booked: Shaw 30
Attendance: 14,368 (83 away)
Referee: Tom Reeves