WAYNE Rooney's first Home Park match as Plymouth Argyle head coach ended in a 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup first round.
The League Two visitors did not make it easy for a much-changed Pilgrims' side who were desperate to bounce back from the shocking season-opening 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
Cheltenham came closest to scoring in a goalless first half as Ethon Archer had a shot which hit a post and then rebounded out of play off goalkeeper Conor Hazard for a corner.
Argyle had to wait until the 62nd minute to open the scoring through Ben Waine and they then took control for the closing stages of the tie, with further goals coming from Ryan Hardie and substitute Mustapha Bundu.
It had taken time and patience but the Pilgrims got rewarded for their perseverance as they advanced into the second round in front of a crowd of more than 12,000.
There were nine changes to Argyle's starting line-up against Cheltenham from the drubbing at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, with only Hazard and midfielder Darko Gyabi staying in the side.
There was a debut for Hungarian defender Kornel Szucs while Waine played for the first time since returning from the Olympics where he featured for New Zealand in the men's football tournament.
Hazard was between the posts for Argyle because he was the only senior 'keeper available to Rooney after the transfer of Michael Cooper to Sheffield United was agreed between the two clubs.
Cooper is reportedly set to sign a four-year contract with the Blades, who he watched in action when they beat Wrexham 4-2 in the Carabao Cup first round at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night.
Denne historien er fra August 15, 2024-utgaven av The Herald.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 15, 2024-utgaven av The Herald.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Devonport dry dock reopens after overhaul
THE biggest dry dock in Devonport, known as 9 Dock, has reopened following a major refurbishment project worth £200m completed under a contract with Babcock International Group.
Schumacher is sacked by Stoke City
FORMER title-winning Plymouth Argyle manager Steven Schumacher is out at Stoke City after just nine months at the Staffordshire club.
EXCELLENT GRIMSHAW
ROONEY HAILS THE PERFORMANCE OF NEW GOALKEEPER
Rooney happy to see Argyle rewarded for their efforts
HEAD COACH NEVER LOST FAITH IN HIS PLAYERS DESPITE TRAILING AT HALF-TIME TO SUNDERLAND
Piastri gives McLaren a title headache
F1 Team principal Andrea Stella says McLaren will continue to review the arrangement between their drivers after Oscar Piastri underlined his talent with a thrilling Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory.
Draper's mission to finish on a high
JACK Draper is looking to bounce back in Asia as he targets a strong end to the season following the disappointment of Great Britain’s Davis Cup exit.
PM's 'great interest' in Italy's migrant deals
THE UK has shown “great interest” in Italy’s migrant deal with Albania, Giorgia Meloni said, as Sir Keir Starmer claimed his Government would make a return to “British pragmatism” on migration.
Man is held over Trump 'assassination attempt'
A MAN was in custody last night after former US president Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Disgraced presenter Edwards is spared jail
DISGRACED former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been spared an immediate jail sentence after admitting accessing indecent images of children as young as seven.
Healthy NHS 'critical' for UK economy, says Davey
CARE and the NHS, which Sir Ed Davey described as “critical” for the economy, will remain his party’s focus going into the budget, the Liberal Democrat leader has said.
