It has been an up-and-down start to the season for Plymouth Argyle. After two wins and two losses so far in the league, no one knows what to expect and another test lies just around the corner. Newly promoted Forest Green Rovers have themselves had a mixed start to the new season and it will likely be a tight affair.
Plymouth Argyle Visit The Bolt New Lawn
Two Mid-Table Teams
Plymouth boast the advantage of having played one more game thus far, as Forest Green’s fixture with Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night was postponed as the former’s pitch was waterlogged. Therefore the pitch may not be at its best for the clash with the Pilgrims.
After easing past Peterborough United on the weekend in front of a voracious Home Park crowd, Steven Schumacher’s side were sent crashing back down to earth in their mid-week fixture against Charlton Athletic. James Wilson’s dismissal changed the flow of the game at The Valley as Charlton went on to win 5 – 1.
🌲Steven Schumacher discusses the reaction he is looking for when his side head to @FGRFC_Official this Saturday.
⬇️ Read the full interview here. #pafc
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) August 18, 2022
Moving on to the home side in this one and they have experienced each of every result. Their first ever season in League One began with a win away at Bristol Rovers. Scottish midfielder Regan Hendry curled home miraculously in the last minute to take all three points away from the Memorial Stadium.
A dominant first-half performance from Ipswich Town made the difference in the second fixture before it ended honours even against Lincoln City. Connor Wickham, the true journeyman, scored his first goal for Forest Green against the Imps at Sincil Bank. In between all of this, they enjoyed a win over League 2 outfit Leyton Orient in the EFL Cup thanks to a brace from former Torquay United man Armani Little.
A Very Rare Fixture
Most fixtures up and down the EFL have at least some history to them, but this one does not. Due to their meteoric rise to this level, Forest Green haven’t played all that much against most teams in the league. Argyle have crossed paths with The Rovers just once before.
One of their two meetings in the 2019/20 League Two season was cancelled whilst, the other, at The Bolt New Lawn, went ahead. Antoni Sarcevic, who made over 100 appearances for Plymouth Argyle, scored the only goal on that day back in November 2019.
There are only a few surviving players from that side for the Greens. Danny Mayor and Joe Edwards were in the starting 11 whilst a very young duo, Michael Cooper and Adam Randell were unused substitutes that day.
Read More: Talking Points as Plymouth Argyle Are Swept Aside at the Valley
💚 Superb backing, once again.
Our ticket allocation for Saturday's trip to @FGRFC_Official is now completely sold out. Thank you, Green Army.
See you in Nailsworth 💪#pafc pic.twitter.com/eljXNdvRAS
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) August 18, 2022
Plymouth Argyle up Against a Familiar Face
Former Plymouth Argyle man Dom Telford led the League Two scoring charts last season after a stellar year in front of goal for Newport County. He was closely followed by a Forest Green double act. Matt Stevens and Jamille Matt scored 23 and 19 respectively with the latter having also graced the Home Park turf previously.
Matt is most fondly remembered by the Pilgrims for his role in the playoff semi-final win over rivals Portsmouth. Derek Adams’ men may have come up short against AFC Wimbledon in the final, but the striker still has a place in Argyle folklore. He netted a brace at Fratton Park, one of which being a fantastic overhead kick, as the sides drew 2-2. It was then that infamous header from Peter Hartley in the dying embers, in front of the home fans, that decided the tie and sent Argyle to Wembley.
Meanwhile, the other team news remains that Conor Grant and Panutche Camara are amongst those absent for Schumacher. The sole change in the last outing saw Danny Mayor make way for Morgan Whittaker and despite the result, this paid off, with the Swansea loanee notching a very impressive goal indeed. Whittaker has earnt a starting spot but Mayor is also one of the very best in the division on his day. Schumacher has confirmed that Nigel Lonwijk, on loan from Wolves, will replace the suspended Wilson.
Plymouth have established themselves in the league whilst Forest Green will be hoping to do that over the next few seasons. Assuming that the pitch at The New Lawn is up to standard, this promises to be an enticing fixture on Saturday afternoon.
