Wanderers got their campaign up-and-running in impressive style with an opening home win over last season’s Championship side, writes Pete Oliver.
A first goal as captain from defender Eoin Toal and a first for the club for on-loan striker Mason Burstow put the Whites’ first points on the board in a crowd-pleasing display.
The fruits of Wanderers’ summer signing spree began to blossom as Steven Schumacher’s blueprint was laid bare in an exciting performance, while a couple of the old guard also stepped up to underline their worth as Plymouth were shut out to suffer a second straight loss.
They have had to re-build since relegation, while Wanderers’ summer re-set has also given them a new look which, at this early, stage bodes well for what’s to come.
Schumacher – who had led Plymouth to promotion from this division with over 100 points in 2023 – made five changes to his starting line-up following the Whites’ first-day defeat as he faced his former club.
One of those was a full debut for summer signing Theirry Gale and with the Barbadian on one wing and Amario Cozier-Duberry on the other Wanderers were full of attacking intent in a first half that saw them lead at the break.
The opening goal came after 20 minutes as Toal towered to head a home a corner from Josh Sheehan and the visitors were probably glad to go in just one behind after being on the ropes for much of the opening period.
That followed a bright start from the Pilgrims, who saw former Wanderers’ winger Xavier Amaechi curl a free-kick just wide before being forced onto the back foot by Wanderers’ pace and penetration.
Much of that came from the flanks as both Gale and Cozier-Duberry flashed efforts wide, while the Whites continued to be a threat from set-pieces and defended resolutely at the other – epitomised by a head wound for George Johnston as he gave his all on a return to starting duty.
Cozier-Duberry and Gale combined again at the start of the second half for an effort Gale volleyed wide on the stretch after Max Conway had forced a free-kick and a booking thanks to a scintillating run from his own half.
The bandaged-up Johnston then went close from another corner from Sheehan, who was also making the most of his first start of the campaign as the Whites, crucially, kept their foot to the floor.
And Wanderers’ growing pressure paid with just over an hour gone when Burstow opened his account with a top-quality goal.
The right-flank combination of Jordi Osei-Tutu and Cozier-Duberry clicked again following another excellent pass out from Teddy Sharman-Lowe. And when the latter sprinted clear and delivered the perfect low cross to put the seal on an outstanding display, Burstow applied the perfect finishing touch following a perfectly timed run into the six-yard box.
The on-loan Hull man nearly got another, this time nodding a Gale cross just wide, as he looked to thrive on the top-class service. But two goals was more than enough to secure the points on a day when Wanderers didn’t need the stoppage-time penalty Toal looked as though should have come his way when he was dragged down in the box.
Wanderers: Sharman-Lowe; Osei-Tutu (Erhahon 82), Toal, Johnston, Conway; Cozier-Duberry, Simons (Warren 82), Sheehan, Gale (Dacres-Cogley 65); Randall, Burstow (McAtee 74). Substitutes: Broome, Forino, Morley.
Booked: Johnston, Sheehan
Plymouth Argyle: Ashby-Hammond; Sorinola, Palsson, Szucs, Galloway; Ibrahim (Roberts 68), Boateng, Amaechi (Finn 68), Watts, Mumba; Pepple (Paterson 62). Substitutes: Baker, Wiredu, Benarous, Oseni.
Booked: Sorinola, Ibrahim, Mumba, Watts.
Referee: Ross Joyce
Attendance: 21,570 (1,621 away)