REPORT | ARGYLE 2 STOKE CITY 1
Argyle 2
Bundu 43
Randell 90+7
Stoke City 1
Campbell 23
Adam Randell celebrated a century of Pilgrim appearances with a dramatic last-gasp winner to take all three points at a frosty Home Park.
Stoke City had grabbed the lead on 23 minutes, Tyrese Campbell firing the visitors in front, but Mustapha Bundu replied with a fine finish on the stroke of half-time.
The Greens largely controlled the second period without creating that one big chance but it all changed when substitute Randell rifled home from 15 yards after a spell of stoppage time pressure had created mayhem in the Stoke box.
Argyle boss Steven Schumacher made three changes from the narrow loss at Coventry City in midweek. Brendan Galloway made his first start since April, alongside Dan Scarr and Bundu, with Julio Pleguezuelo, Ben Waine and Joe Edwards dropping to the bench.
The Greens came out flying, with Jordan Houghton and Luke Cundle moving the ball through midfield for an eventual cross from Morgan Whittaker, which was deflected over the bar by the Stoke defence.
Cundle pounced on a loose ball from the subsequent corner and the Potters were again forced into a desperate block before Finn Azaz found space on the edge of the box and speared a decent effort narrowly wide of the post.
Stoke found some attacking impetus on seven minutes, Ciaran Clark steering his header into the arms of a well-positioned Michael Cooper. It was then over to Campbell to head over from a corner, as the visitors settled into the game.
Argyle fell behind midway through the first half, when Campbell took advantage of some hesitancy at the back to slip a calm finish beyond Cooper. Andre Vidigal was next to ask a question, firing over from a tight angle.
The Pilgrims gradually recovered their composure and, after a scrappy spell, Kaine Kesler-Hayden fizzed in a super cross and Bundu beautifully controlled the finish to flick the ball beyond a stranded Jack Bonham in the Stoke goal.
Argyle emerged for the second period full of enthusiasm, as evidenced by a delicious Cundle pass down the channel for Bundu, who was on target with his low effort but credit to Bonham for a strong save from the angled strike.
Stoke responded with a swift counter and a clever run behind the Argyle defence from Ryan Mmaee resulted in a drilled effort diverted wide by the legs of Cooper.
The game then descended into a scruffy period, with both sides struggling to find cohesion in their passing. When Stoke did find some precision through the middle, Kesler-Hayden produced a wonderful recovery tackle to thwart Bae Junho.
Argyle switched the focus to the other end with a lovely low cutback from Bundu to pick out Azaz but the final shot was ballooned over the bar. Azaz soon rediscovered his radar, dinking a lovely cross for Cundle to volley against the legs of Bonham.
Ryan Hardie returned from injury to replace Bali Mumba midway through the second half, as the Pilgrims began to enjoy a spell of sustained pressure. The next Argyle changes saw the introduction of Mickel Miller and Randell for Galloway and Houghton.
Matt Butcher and Callum Wright replaced Whittaker and Kesler-Hayden for the final ten minutes of a game that remained fully in the balance. Miller won a free-kick by the left byline but Randell’s swinging delivery was headed clear.
Argyle continued to press and Hardie picked up on a lovely reverse from Azaz before lashing a fierce shot inches over. While Stoke were sitting a little deeper in the closing stages, the counter-attack threat remained very real and the stage was set for a proper finale in the six minutes of stoppage time.
Wright almost delivered with a jinking run and cross, parried clear by Bonham at the near post but the climax was just around the corner.
Wright, again, weaved down the left, his shot was well saved by Bonham, Cundle’s rebound was blocked by some desperate Stoke defending but destiny was in the hands of Randell and he obliged with a fearless left-foot strike into the bottom corner with virtually the final kick of the game.
Argyle: 1 Michael Cooper; 2 Bali Mumba (9 Ryan Hardie 68), 4 Jordan Houghton (capt) (20 Adam Randell 76), 6 Dan Scarr, 10 Morgan Whittaker (11 Callum Wright 82), 15 Mustapha Bundu, 17 Lewis Gibson, 18 Finn Azaz, 22 Brendan Galloway (14 Mickel Miller 76), 28 Luke Cundle, 29 Kaine Kesler-Hayden (7 Matt Butcher 82). Substitutes (not used): 21 Conor Hazard (gk), 5 Julio Pleguezuelo, 8 Joe Edwards, 23 Ben Waine.
Booked: Houghton 7
Stoke: 13 Jack Bonham; 2 Lynden Gooch, 4 Ben Pearson, 7 Andre Vidigal (27 Mehdi Leris 71), 10 Tyrese Campbell (35 Nathan Loure 90), 17 Ki-Jana Hoever, 19 Ryan Mmaee, 22 Bae Junho (8 Lewis Baker 82), 23 Luke McNally, 26 Ciaran Clark, 28 Josh Laurent (capt). Substitutes (not used): 45 Tommy Simkin (gk), 5 Michael Rose, 11 Dwight Gayle, 15 Jordan Thompson, 18 Wesley, 24 Junior Tchamadeu.
Booked: Vidigal 57, Pearson 63
Referee: Sam Barrott
Attendance: 16,371 (1,546 away)