We started our Saturday 2 hours later than normal, so we got to the Evening Star at 3pm, then up the Duke of Wellington, but a change to normal, down to the Lord Nelson and then we caught the 5A bus to Withdean. The Evening Star was full of Plymouth fans, who appeared to think they would win by just turning up, this showed in the players performance as well!
We got to the ground about 5.30, perfect timing, and took our seats as we kicked off (I risked a Withdean hot dog and survived!!!). For once an atmosphere existed at home (helped by a full noisy away stand) and the whole tempo was upbeat.
The players responded to this (and I imagine to the cameras and Mr McGhee) and the match was one to savour. The first goal saw Knight out wide right, collect the ball, deliver a cross that Plymouth only half cleared, Chippy nodded the ball back into the penalty area to Benjamin who turned his player superbly and knocked the ball past the keeper and too powerful for the 2 defenders towards the line to block and it was 1-0 to us!
Virgo, who was having a stormer, then found himself out on the right wing again, he pushed the ball through the defenders legs, ran on and deliver a great cross to Knight towards the edge of the box, who drilled the ball in first time, the keeper once again had no chance with a powerful shot zipping of a wet surface.
2nd half and Butters nearly made it 3 nil with a brilliant first time volley, to see an equally brilliant save by the keeper. The Referee then decided to help out Plymouth. McPhee played Benjamin through but somehow he was flagged offside. The resulting free kick was hoofed into the box and Cullip almost put it in the net, Roberts somehow stopped the ball, but they scored from the loose ball.
Roberts had had his moments before this. He came for a cross, failed to make it, but the Plymouth player tried to place the ball in the net but Cullip cleared off the line, then Roberts took a step back from a back pass for a big kick, but slipped, somehow the ball stayed on the pitch but we cleared from the chaos!
To be fair to him he had also made a great save from a header, heading towards the top corner and he palmed it away to safety.
We defended well after the 88th minute goal, despite the Referee making up the rules and apparently shielding the ball is now illegal (Is it?). We deserved the win and now QPR are just 9 points ahead and we have a game in hand!
Roberts - 5 great saves, but looks likely to give away stupid goals at any time (still a brilliant shot stopper)
Mayo - 6 played well with Watson, had a tough task marked a lively winger and did get beat a couple of times
Virgo - 8 lost for words, great display and my MOTM
Cullip - 8 great captains role again
Butters - 8 still improving, missed one defensive header that should have been punished
Oatway - 8 best game this season
Watson - 6 better at right midfield than left!
Carpenter - 8 another great game from Mr Consistency
Piercey - 7 balances the side when he is on the pitch, we need him fit for the run in!
Knight - 7 superb finish, great partnership forming with big Trev
Benjamin - 8 worried them from start to finish, and showed he knows how to score
Hart - 5 looks lost to me, not sure what has gone wrong, but still got in some vital challenges and clearances
McPhee - 7 battled hard and put himself about, just what we needed second half
Kuipers, Robinson and El-Abd not used
Roll on Wycombe on Saturday, QPR are away at Peterborough
Mark R