Aribim Pepple’s brace saw ten-man Plymouth Argyle secure a vital 2–1 home victory over Port Vale in League One on Saturday, despite playing almost the entire match a player down.
The hosts made a flying start, taking the lead in the 3rd minute. Pepple finished off an early attack, converting after good work from Lorent Tolaj to make it 1–0 to Plymouth.
Argyle’s afternoon was complicated just two minutes later when goalkeeper Conor Hazard was shown a red card in the 5th minute. Caleb Watts was sacrificed shortly afterwards, with Luca Ashby-Hammond introduced in the 8th minute as Plymouth reshuffled to cope with the dismissal.
Port Vale quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage, drawing level on 14 minutes. Connor Hall struck for the visitors, finishing from a pass by Jordan Shipley to bring the score to 1–1.
The visitors picked up bookings for Ethon Archer on 16 minutes and Hall on 25 minutes, while Plymouth battled to reach the interval on level terms. Detailed information on further first-half chances or saves is not available.
Plymouth struck again moments after the restart. In the 47th minute, Pepple grabbed his second of the afternoon, restoring Argyle’s lead at 2–1 after being set up by Owen Dale. That goal ultimately proved the winner.
Both sides turned to their benches in the second half. Port Vale made a triple sequence of changes, including Liam Gordon for Hall at half-time and later introductions for Grant Ward, Rhys Walters, George Hall and Dajaune Brown. Plymouth responded with substitutions of their own, bringing on Matthew Sorinola and later Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu, who replaced the two-goal Pepple in the 73rd minute.
Dale and Sarpong-Wiredu were booked in the 64th and 82nd minutes respectively as Plymouth dug in to protect their narrow lead. Further detailed match statistics, including shots and possession figures, were not provided.
The result leaves Plymouth celebrating a gritty three points in the closing stages of the League One campaign, while Port Vale are left to reflect on a missed opportunity against ten men.
Full match data: Plymouth Argyle vs Port Vale.
Comments