Bank holiday football in the sunshine and Chris and Mark have ducked out of work and Easter holiday family obligations to review a near perfect afternoon in South Yorkshire.
Drama and doom set the pre-match tone with two enforced changes - a calf injury for Bim Pepple and Herbie Kane out for the season and back in Huddersfield to recover. At least he could travel up on the team bus, FFS FML.
An even start with Argyle slowly growing into the game, rewarded with a fantastic goal close to the half way point (would have been eyeing up a drinks break in the World Cup, FFS FML). A long lost cause turned into a clear cut chance from the quality of Tolaj and a calm finish from DoubleO-Seni, probably deserved on the balance of play. The rest of the half a little messy, Barnsley on top but Argyle going close on the counter just before half time. Other results not looking too bad at this stage either…
A slow start to the second half interrupted by the predictable ‘injury’ to Hazard. Boos from the home crowd and fear of karma, a sense that this doesn’t really work anywaYESSSSS! 2-0, AND a push in the back in the run up. Screw you, honesty gods. From there, Argyle rarely looked threatened by a Barnsley team reading from the Greens October 2025 playbook, with intricate play leading to next to nowhere. An Oseni penalty towards the end and a 3-0 away win was thoroughly deserved.
No part 2 today but an inevitable look forward (again) to a huge Devon Derby with them up the road finally winning after a quarter season drought. Typical timing? Or a pub team (h/t Archie Scrase) you have to demolish if you have any ambition of success. Other results stayed could be better, could be worse.
Don’t stop believing just yet, Greens.
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