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.
This story is from the August 15, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 15, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Stroll hails £100m Newey 'a bargain'
ADRIAN Newey’s £100m move to Aston Martin has been hailed as a “bargain” by the British team’s billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll.
Pilgrims gear up for a challenging sequence
IT has been a challenging start to the 2024/25 campaign for head coach Wayne Rooney and his Plymouth Argyle squad as they have picked up just two points from their opening four Championship games.
Roberts on form as Fawn edge a thrilling contest
IN A Plymouth City Super League catch up week, Dave Roberts outperformed almost all of the Division A players as his 14-ton bonanza lit up Fawn A’s 6-5 Division B defeat against Legends Lounge.
Pizza chain makes financial recovery after losses last year
THE European division of Pizza Hut has made a significant financial recovery, turning a pre-tax profit of $12.2 million (£9.3 million) in 2023, after a substantial loss of nearly $140m (£106.4m) the previous year, as per the latest documents filed with Companies House.
Mixed reaction to dogs policy at The Range
PLYMOUTH’S national retail chain The Range has announced some good news for dog lovers.
Freed cons hotel plan
PRISONERS could be put up in hotels when they are freed early to ease jail overcrowding, according to the Justice Secretary.
How to find help with costs during the upcoming winter
ADVICE TO DEAL WITH LOSS OF WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS
Family fun at LEGO festival
'BRICK FESTIVAL' RETURNS TO CITY THIS AUTUMN
Conference to study male abuse of women
ROLE OF MASCULINITY IN VIOLENCE WILL BE EXPLORED
For sale: former bomb shelter with sea views
WITH A GUIDE PRICE OF £25K, IT EVEN HAS ITS OWN PARKING SPACE
