Football news from HP

Shelley was a terrific player when he left us, such stamina. Clearly a Championship player back then, so if he is desperate for a game I can only imagine his standard has dropped considerably.

McCormick however is living proof that old allegiances can bring superb quality players back.

Norris after Connolly please. Only 13 appearances in the last two seasons - surely soon he must realise it is time to drop a level (or two) for that last career challenge.

gasser9 wrote:

I notice that there is excitement over on the farm about the possible return of Paul Connolly.
Someone wrote that should we really be getting that excited over someone who is currently playing for Millwall Reserves and may not be the same player as the one that left us.
Mannamead Green replies and his first word is "Nah".
Don't you just fecking hate that when somebody dismisses someone elses opinion as worthless and starts with "Nah" (Well I do).
MG goes on to say that Connolly will be better than we have and all will be good. I know he's only played 2 or 3 games but we almost have the same scenario because didn't everybody say how great it was Banton was back but already knives are being sharpened because he is not played well so I think the OP had a point. I would love the old Paul Connolly back but apart from Tommy Tynan not too many returnees over the years have exactly covered themselves in glory.

One of the worst examples was when Hodges brought back Nicky Marker on loan.Argyle were on a roll when he came back,he played about 5 games and i don't think Argyle scored a goal in that time,momentum completely ruined.Marker was an excellent player for Argyle in the second tier,far better than Connolly,but time had taken it's toll and he was totally finished when he came back.A cautionary tale.

yet one of the best examples was when Trigger came back for the second time as we got promoted.same could happen if Shelley were to return.

I couldn't believe how unfit and out of condition Marker was when he came back.

Legends to play Paul Sturrocks championship winning side of 2001 at Home Park on Sunday 27th April.

Marker wasn't unfit when he came back here. Both his knees were completely knackered and he needed a crane to get him out of bed in the morning. It was a shame to watch though having seen him the first time around. I remember watching Billy Bonds at 42 years old for West Ham. Pitiful about sums it up.

Not mention on PAFC web

Pilgrims hammer Exeter in FA Cup

Plymouth Argyle...6 Exeter City...1

PLYMOUTH Argyle's men may have missed out on an FA Cup home meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion, but their women's team haven't.

The Pilgrims set up a third round tie with the Seagulls after hammering Exeter City in a match that had to be played on Ivybridge Community College's 3G pitch.

The match had previously been postponed three times.

Argyle may have not played since mid-December but they were not slow in starting.

They drew first blood in only the third minute when Becca Rose blasted home from the penalty spot after Emily Mousley was brought down in the box by Exeter's keeper Vicky Wright.

Five minutes later and the visitors were rocked by a second Argyle goal, this time Emily Mousley finishing with a firm shot.

And on 16 mins it became 3-0 with Mousley again finishing a neat move down the right taking a pass from Ellie Dorey and clipping the ball over the keeper from the edge of the box.

Argyle were well in command but were unable to add to their tally before the break.

They Pilgrims started the second half somewhat sluggishly and allowed Exeter to come more into the game, that eventually led to the visitors grabbing a goal back in the 52nd minute.

Exeter's left-back Marika Ghiglia was allowed to get into the box and get off a shot that found the far corner of the net past the diving Michaela Phillips.

Argyle got going again and were aided by a mix-up in the Exeter defence and Mousley completed her hat-trick, smashing the ball into the net from two yards.

The fifth goal came courtesy of a Katie Middleton free-kick from 25 yards.

Two minutes from time Ellie Dorey got the last touch from close in to round off the scoring.

Argyle's third round clash takes place this Sunday at Weston Mill (2pm).

'Marvin, Matt Parsons, Durrell, and Andres should be ready to be involved against York on the 15th Feb


Northampton have put waterproof covers on the pitch at Sixfields Stadium to try to ensure the game against Argyle on Sat goes ahead

Before the covers were put in place, the pitch was assessed and is perfectly playable