Debut goal from Finn Azaz gets Argyle's season up and running

THIS week, we will be looking back at a memorable campaign for Plymouth Argyle as they ended the season with promotion to the Championship as champions of League One. CHRIS ERRINGTON reflects, starting back in pre-season and an opening day win over Barnsley

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

DUE to the 2022 World Cup being played in Qatar in the winter, rather than in its traditional summer timeslot, the start of the 2022/23 EFL season was brought forward a week earlier than usual to the weekend of July 30/31.

That meant pre-season training for Argyle began in late June, with their first warm-up match being on July 2 against Plymouth Parkway.

There was a crowd of 2,349 at Bolitho Park and they saw the newly-promoted Southern League Premier South hosts take a 2-0 lead into the 82nd minute.

However, late goals from Ryan Hardie and Joe Edwards spared Argyle's blushes as they drew 2-2.

Midfielder Matt Butcher, a summer signing from Accrington Stanley, made his first appearance in Argyle colours as a half-time substitute for Danny Mayor.

The Pilgrims' squad then headed off to Spain for a warm weather training camp, which included a behind-closed-doors game against Gibraltar side Europa Point.