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Hi, my name's Toby Wildgoose. I'm a 21 year old who's obsessed by sport, so much so, that I am looking to become a sports journalist/media officer in later life.

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Start Date: 11/12/12 (Aged 15)

Saturday 20 April 2013

Match Report: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Rotherham United

Rotherham United took a giant step towards automatic promotion after Kieran Agard’s 75th minute goal secured a 1-0 win over Plymouth at Home Park.

Agard scored his third goal in three games, after captain Johnny Mullins nodded down for the Millers’ frontman to poke home from close range.

Steve Evans stuck with the same starting eleven that had seen off Bradford City on Tuesday night, as the only changes came in the form of Daniel Nardiello and David Noble returning to the bench.  

A familiar face featured in the Argyle starting line-up, as Reuben Reid came up against his former employers and the ex-Millers forward was immediately thrown into the fold when he was caught just offside after a minute’s play.

Plymouth’s attacking intent was clear to see in the early minutes, as Onismor Bhasera took on a mazy run before firing a dangerous ball across the box. The danger, however, was cleared by Claude Davis who ensured that a chance wouldn’t follow for the awaiting Reid.  

The Millers’ first chance came in the ninth minute when ex-Pilgrim Kari Arnason took on a shot from distance that sailed harmlessly over the crossbar, much to the delight of the Home Park faithful.

The first yellow card of the game came the Millers’ way, when Alex Revell made a late aerial challenge on Paul Wotton that saw him pick up only his second caution of the season. Andres Gurrieri then had the Pilgrims’ first chance of the game, however, his shot from just outside the area flew over the bar.

Two more yellow cards soon followed for the Millers as Kieran Agard and Kari Arnason both found themselves in the book for poor challenges on Gurrieri and Bhasera with Rotherham struggling to get a grip on a scrappy game.

The hosts then came close to taking the lead in the 25th minute when Paris Cowan-Hall’s chip evaded the Millers’ defence before the on-rushing Scott Shearer beat Gurrieri to the ball to ensure that the score stayed at 0-0.

The tide, however, began to swing Rotherham’s way and after Kieran Agard had earnt the Millers a free-kick 25 yards from goal, Michael O’Connor saw his swirling effort stunningly saved.

Lee Frecklington then had Rotherham’s best chance of the half in the 44th minute, when he flicked on Ben Pringle’s cross only to see a another astounding save from the Pilgrims’ number one, Jake Cole.


Half-time: Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Rotherham United

The Millers began the second-half, much as they had ended the first and came close to opening the scoring from a Kari Arnason throw-in. The Icelandic midfielder’s long throw was met by the head of Alex Revell who played a quick one-two with Kieran Agard, before seeing his effort fly just past the post.

Kieran Agard then had a chance of his own just minutes later, when he headed Ben Pringle’s cross wide from only 10-yards out. His golden chance would come later in the game.

The hosts, however, started to pull themselves back into the game and ex-Miller Reuben Reid saw his headed opportunity fly just past the post in the 54th minute.

The forward was involved again just minutes later after Bhasera raced down the flanks before whipping in a cross that was cleverly dummied by Gurrieri. The ball then fell to Reid, however, with the goal gaping, he fired over from just over 12-yards out; another golden opportunity gone.

This would prove costly for the hosts, and in the 75th minute the deadline was broken. A deep Joe Skarz free-kick was nodded into the path of Agard by Johnny Mullins, and the Millers’ forward tapped home from close range to send the travelling support wild. Not for the first time this season, a single Kieran Agard goal would prove enough to separate the sides.

The hosts fought back valiantly though and a number of chances followed after the opening goal.

The first chance for Argyle came after a neat touch from Ronan Murray set up Conor Hourihane. The centre-back, however, could not supply a finish and his effort went past the post after a sliced shot.

Hourihane then had his second chance in a matter of minutes when the ball fell to him in a similar position to the first oppurtunity. His shot had power this time around, however, the ball flew harmlessly over the crossbar.

The Pilgrims continued to bombard the Millers’ 18-yard box and chance after chance fell to the players in green and white. Max Blanchard had the most notable opportunity, however, his shot failed to challenge Scott Shearer and the Millers held on for an invaluable three points.


Full-time: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Rotherham United



Rotherham: Shearer, Mullins, Davis, Morgan, Skarz, Agard, O’Connor, Arnason, Frecklington, (Ridehalgh 87), Pringle, Revell (Odejayi 90)

Unused: Warrington, Tonge, Ainsworth, Nardiello, Noble

Plymouth: Cole, Blanchard, Branston, Hourihane, Cowane-Hall (Murray 51), Bhasera, Wotton, Nelson, (Chadwick 79), Bryan, Reid, (Harvey 81) Gurrieri

Unused: Gilmartin, Berry, Young, Charles


Attendance: 10,648

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