REPORT | ARGYLE 3 CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1
Argyle 3
Wright 16
Edwards 56
Ennis 73
Cambridge United 1
Smith 31
Argyle took another step toward promotion with an accomplished 3-1 win at home to relegation-threatened Cambridge United.
A delightful finish from Callum Wright broke the deadlock but the Pilgrims were pegged back when Sam Smith steered a neat header into the corner on the half-hour.
The Greens stepped on the gas after the break and Joe Edwards restored the advantage before victory was completed by a low strike from Niall Ennis.
Argyle manager Steven Schumacher made six changes from the dramatic midweek win at Shrewsbury, with Ryan Hardie, Bali Mumba, Danny Mayor, Wright, Adam Randell and Nigel Lonwijk all coming into the side.
The Greens started like a team on a mission, peppering the Cambridge box with crosses and incisive passes, forcing the visitors into some scrambled defending in the opening few minutes. The U’s responded with a corner of their own, punched away under pressure by Callum Burton, and Harvey Knibbs clipped the follow up well over the bar.
Argyle responded with a Randell strike slice narrowly off target and the next foray led to the opening goal. Hardie received the ball on the edge of the box and he flicked the ball into the path of Wright, who calmly steered a lovely finish beyond goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.
Burton ensured the lead was protected with some alert work, racing off his line to thwart a Cambridge attack but the general pattern developed into Argyle calmly controlling possession at a raucous Home Park.
From nowhere, the U’s levelled when a cross from the left was flicked on and Smith cleverly redirected his header back across Burton and inside the far corner. Argyle regrouped to control proceedings for the remainder of the half but without seriously troubling a stoic Cambridge defence.
The Pilgrims restarted with a slick pass from Wright that almost released Hardie. Mayor then burst into the left channel and threaded a low cross but the visitors were just about able to clear.
Argyle took the lead moments later. Wright somehow forced the ball into the danger zone and captain Edwards shifted the ball from left to right before steering a calm finish past the right hand of Mitov. It was a prodded finish from the skipper and completely deserved on the balance of play.
The lead was almost extended in a somewhat bizarre incident, as Edwards slid on to a through and his low shot was parried by Mitov. The recovering Cambridge defender cannoned the ball against the bar and Wright was narrowly off target on the rebound.
Ennis replaced Hardie for the remaining quarter of the game and the new man immediately fired into the side-netting before a terrific challenge from Dan Scarr repelled a rare Cambridge attack.
The game was sealed with a beautifully worked move in the April drizzle. Mumba exchanged passes with Ennis and then returned the favour for the substitute to slide a confident low finish into the bottom corner.
The calm hands of Burton ensured Cambridge could not find a quick response after the ball bounced around the Argyle box. Steve Seddon headed off target before Finn Azaz and Jay Matete replaced Mayor and Wright.
A fabulous save from Burton preserved the two-goal advantage after substitute Joe Ironside broke through the middle. Sam Cosgrove and Saxon Earley replaced Mumba and Randell for the closing minutes of another solid home display for Argyle.
Next up, Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
Argyle: 25 Callum Burton; 3 Macaulay Gillesphey, 4 Jordan Houghton, 6 Dan Scarr, 8 Joe Edwards (capt), 9 Ryan Hardie (11 Niall Ennis 66), 10 Danny Mayor (28 Jay Matete 80), 17 Bali Mumba (24 Saxon Earley 90), 20 Adam Randell (16 Sam Cosgrove 90), 21 Nigel Lonwijk, 26 Callum Wright (18 Finn Azaz 80). Substitutes (not used): 32 Adam Parkes (gk), 5 James Wilson.
Booked: Mumba 45
Cambridge: 1 Dimitar Mitov; 4 Paul Digby (capt), 7 James Brophy (11 Harrison Dunk 69), 10 Sam Smith, 15 Jubril Okedina (9 Joe Ironside 69), 21 Ryan Bennett, 23 Michael Morrison, 24 Conor McGrandles, 26 Harvey Knibbs (14 Jack Lankester 69), 28 Liam Bennett (20 Fejiri Okenabirhie 79), 42 Steve Seddon. Substitutes (not used): 25 Will Mannion (gk), 8 Liam O’Neil, 44 George Thomas.
Booked: Brophy 38, Bennett 39
Attendance: 16,326 (292 away)
Referee: Ollie Yates