Review: August

A new addition to the Argyle Life family, Monthly Reviews will be a quick and easily digestible posts about things from Argyle and the World of Football that’s caught our eye this last month. So, without keeping you waiting, here’s what’s caught the eye in August.

Will Jenkins-Davies

2 games in and a goal difference of +9 sees Argyle second in the EFL Youth Alliance U18 League. An opening day 4-2 win over Cheltenham Town was followed up by a 7-0 win away to Swindon Town – with a 3-0 win over Leyton Orient in the cup sandwiched in the middle. The next generation of Argyle talent are flying right now and the performances of Oscar Halls, Joe Hatch, Freddie Issaka and Cole Gibbings aren’t to go amiss, however the real jewel in this Argyle set up has to be Will Jenkins-Davies; six goals in the opening two games is a phenomenal return for the Welsh U18’s midfielder and he was rewarded for his fine performances with another first team appearance in the 1-1 draw and subsequent win on penalties vs Bristol Rovers in the Papa Johns. Oscar Halls also called up for his debut that night, earning the Man of the Match award in the process.

WJD made his Argyle debut as a sub away to Newport County in the  Papa John’s Trophy last season and notched on his debut for Wales Under-16s with Ryan Giggs in attendance. I can’t imagine it would be too long before he’s linking up with Adam Randell in the middle of the park for even more first team minutes.

 

Argyle Women

A though start to the league campaign for Argyle’s women as they came up against three of the sides expecting to battle it out at the top of the table this season.

An opening day 3-1 defeat away to Cheltenham Town did have some positives; Charlotte Whitmore giving Argyle the lead with her first league goal in green; Anna Barnes, Kaitlyn Morgan-Hemmens and Sam Cox all making their debuts and Panagoita Papaioannou handed the armband in place of the absent Cunningham.

Next up saw Argyle fall to a 2-0 defeat to Oxford United – however the result spells some improvement as the same game last season saw Argyle ship 5. Cunningham back in the starting XI would have helped quell the flow somewhat and Lily Greenslade was handed her first start since joining on a dual registration deal with Bristol City. Interesting to see Beth Ireland on the bench too, who we’d been informed had sailed off to America.

The Ladies finished up August with a Wednesday night trip to Bridgwater United which ended in a 3-0 defeat. Three losses on the bounce now must have questions hanging over the side; but September looks like it could be a great spring board upon which to bounce back to winning ways.

 

Sir Gordon Sparks

An institution. A legend. It’s hard to put into words the impact that ‘Sir’ Gordon Sparks has had on every Argyle fan; his broad Janner accent has been the perfect accompaniment to many a moment at the Theatre of Greens and since hanging up the microphone he’s continued to be interwoven into the fabric of our club.

While the on-going battle with his health rages on, Argyle Displays created a moving show of solidarity with Sparksy during our 2-0 win at home to Bolton Wanderers with a fantastic banner.

We’re all with you, Gordon.

 

Project 35

Despite only being a few months old, the club’s collaboration with Ginsters and the Community Trust appears to be thriving; while really helping those who need it most in and around our local community. 16,000 meals and 2,500 food hampers have been delivered to local children and families during the summer break alone; served up alongside 250+ food education sessions.

I can’t praise the recent actions of the club enough, but isn’t it just incredible to see ‘little old’ Argyle breaking the mould and using our resources and outreach for good? Long may it continue.