leasing.com EFL boycott cup Bristol rovers

They ruined this cup with the reserve teams joining

Anyway

Defender Will Aimson is set to make his Plymouth Argyle debut against Bristol Rovers in the Leasing.com Trophy at Home Park tonight (7.45pm).

The 25-year-old missed the whole of pre-season and the start of the League Two campaign because of a pelvic problem.

However, he has now returned to full training and has been an unused substitute for the last couple of games.

The first of Argyle’s three games in Southern Section Group F of the Leasing.com Trophy is the perfect opportunity for him to get some game-time at last.

Aimson is expected to be part of a three-man central defence which also includes Josh Grant.

The on-loan Chelsea defender played against Argyle for Chelsea Under-21s in the same stage of the competition last term, when the Pilgrims were thrashed 5-0.

Grant impressed when he started the 4-2 Carabao Cup second round defeat by Reading at Home Park last Tuesday.

He then replaced Gary Sawyer at half-time when the Pilgrims lost 3-1 away to Northampton Town in League Two on Saturday.

The game against Rovers will give the 20-year-old the chance to stake a claim for a regular first team place.

Midfielder Jose Baxter is also set to start against Rovers as he continues to build his way up to full match fitness.

He scored his first goal for the Pilgrims in the Carabao Cup tie with Reading before being an unused substitute at Northampton.

Baxter could be joined in midfield by Antoni Sarcevic, who is currently serving a three-match suspension for non-Leasing.com Trophy matches.

The 27-year-old has had to sit out the games against Reading and Northampton but is eligible to play tonight.

If he does it will be his 100th appearance in all competitions since signing for the Pilgrims in January 2017.

Sarcevic will then have to complete his ban when Argyle host Oldham Athletic in League Two on Saturday.

Graham Coughlan’s Rovers are currently in 14th position in League One with a record of two wins, one draw and three defeats.

All of those losses have been away from home, including 2-0 at Burton Albion on Saturday, when they conceded two late goals.

Lowe reached the semi-finals of the then-Checkatrade Trophy with Bury last season before losing 3-0 to Portsmouth.

So it is a competition that he takes seriously and would like Argyle to make good progress in.

Lowe said: “We will analyse the boys and see where they are at. Maybe one or two are looking a bit tired.

“There will be changes in terms of what I want to change, whether that’s tactical or freshening things up, whatever it is, I will make sure I do that.”

The Leasing.com Trophy is derided by many fans because of the continued involvement of under-21s sides in it.

There is likely to only be a small crowd at Home Park even though it is an all-West Country clash.

However, Lowe insisted there was no way he would be taking the competition lightly.

He said: “It’s a chance to get Wembley. Last year I just missed out. For me, it’s going to be taken very seriously.”

Should the game tonight end in a draw after 90 minutes each team will get one point.

There will then be a penalty shoot-out, with an extra point on offer to the winners of that.

There has already been one game in Southern Section Group F this season.

That saw Chelsea Under-21s win 3-2 away to Swindon Town at the County Ground on August 6.

I am very tempted to pop along seeing it is against old foes, the gas and I have nothing to do tonight either.

I am at home tonight with a few of the family, VPN 6 Euros

Proud to be boycotting.

Good to see Both Moores getting game time, Same with cooper ,Randell , lolos after his arm injury and baxter,

Hopefully Aimson and Grant make it through okay so they can play saturday

Not surprised Cooper isn't in goal must be carrying the can for last week against Reading,

Last season's home matche in this cup against the Chelsea youths had a crowd of about 1,500, which must be the lowest home crowd we've registered in many a year (maybe ever)!. Will be interested to see if we get another low crowd again this season.

Sounds like we're struggling again.  I hope there's not too many youth team players in the Bristol Rovers side.

made it 1-1 sounds promising

Currently 1-1. Palmer cock up for their goal, palming it straight to a rovers striker for an easy tap in. On 41 minutes, Moore scored on the rebound as Sarvcevic hit the post. Almost ht.

2518 there tonight (96 gas heads)

Freathy wrote:

Sounds like we're struggling again.  I hope there's not too many youth team players in the Bristol Rovers side.

Playing well,

Mate of mine there says Aimson already looks a shit tonne better than our other CBs.

Not too difficult I know....

HT sub Wootton on for Aimson (guess they don't want to rush him too much?)

Rovers ex-exeter striker, Tom Nicholls, (who scored) has missed two good opportunities in the 2nd half.

Argyle on top, all youngster are playing well

Argyle have just brought on 17? year old Jude Boyd for Baxter.

Rudden came on for B Moore earlier.

Argyle TV have they own commentary tonight much better then Radio Devon, more on the football.

4m until penalties....

FT

Rudden to take the first pen at the Devonport end...

and scores

Bennett skies his penalty over the bar for rovers

Taking a league 1 team to a draw with our reserves and returnees isn't bad

What happened to accepting a draw FFS don't need gimmicky pens

Randell scores for Argyle 2-0

Kelly scores for Rovers 2-1

Lolos scores for Argyle 3-1

Craig scores for Rovers 3-2

Sarcevic scores for Argyle 4-2

Adeboyejo scores for Rovers 4-3

G Cooper scores 5-3 - Argyle win the shoot-out (and get 2 points in the mini-league, Rovers get 1)