So, twenty-four hours on and time to review the ultimate draw that felt like a defeat. Against the old enemy. How can an equaliser in injury time feel so flat? Archie is joined by Alex, Chris and Mark to get into it.

Let’s start with the weather. Did anyone mention it was windy? A first half of minimal football, maximum chaos saw Argyle slowly grow into the game creating the better chances. One great save and some half chances but at half time, Argyle had slightly the better of a messy 45 minutes. A random ball off the bar and then, sadly, the one piece of actual football, 0-1 down and everyone condemned to 30 minutes of pointless horrible Octoberball. Then a crazy last 15 minutes with an equaliser, a soft goal, another equaliser and a 2-2 draw that really didn’t suit either team. But a late Exeter chance to put the game to bed probably means the impact on the season could be greater for them. Ha.

Everyone takes a breath for Part 2. A quick look at the end of the season for Argyle Women, a review of the upcoming player of the season vote, some ecumenical debate (yes, really) and a look forward to Wimbledon and the final four games of the season. It’s the season effectively over or could there be a miracle? Perhaps the monks from The Dripping Pan can give us a sign?

Prayers welcome.

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Bank holiday football in the sunshine and Chris and Mark have ducked out of work and Easter holiday family obligations to review a near perfect afternoon in South Yorkshire.

Drama and doom set the pre-match tone with two enforced changes - a calf injury for Bim Pepple and Herbie Kane out for the season and back in Huddersfield to recover. At least he could travel up on the team bus, FFS FML.

An even start with Argyle slowly growing into the game, rewarded with a fantastic goal close to the half way point (would have been eyeing up a drinks break in the World Cup, FFS FML). A long lost cause turned into a clear cut chance from the quality of Tolaj and a calm finish from DoubleO-Seni, probably deserved on the balance of play. The rest of the half a little messy, Barnsley on top but Argyle going close on the counter just before half time. Other results not looking too bad at this stage either…

A slow start to the second half interrupted by the predictable ‘injury’ to Hazard. Boos from the home crowd and fear of karma, a sense that this doesn’t really work anywaYESSSSS! 2-0, AND a push in the back in the run up. Screw you, honesty gods. From there, Argyle rarely looked threatened by a Barnsley team reading from the Greens October 2025 playbook, with intricate play leading to next to nowhere. An Oseni penalty towards the end and a 3-0 away win was thoroughly deserved.

No part 2 today but an inevitable look forward (again) to a huge Devon Derby with them up the road finally winning after a quarter season drought. Typical timing? Or a pub team (h/t Archie Scrase) you have to demolish if you have any ambition of success. Other results stayed could be better, could be worse.

Don’t stop believing just yet, Greens.

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Doooom.

We lost, dooooooooooom.

To our former boss, dooooooooooooooom.

Against 10 men for over 45 minutes, doooooooooooooooooooooooom.

Archie, Chris, Mark and Tom discuss a home defeat, at least it’s been a while.

Argyle started well in a game of noticeably improved quality compared to anything pre-Christmas. Bolton played with control, Argyle chasing like men possessed. Some good half-chances, some good saves, some good football from both sides and then, just before half-time, Bolton down to 10 men. Here we go, here we go, here we go.

Or here we don’t.

A crazy penalty conceded, five more minutes of chaos, but Argyle slowly clawed their way back into things, with a deserved equaliser on the hour mark. But from that point on, with substitutions and some rusty returnees, the momentum shifted and the performance slowly deteriorated. Another long ball, another goal against the run of play and, despite some huffing and puffing and some half-chances, a Schumacher tactical masterclass and defeat felt almost like a fair result. Bugger.

Part 2 starts with thoughts about a huge game for the women’s team on Sunday. First, second or third place all remain possible, with intriguing other fixtures and some real jeopardy on the cards. Get yourself down to Home Park if you’re local on Sunday. Then a quick review of the dark arts of a cancelled game due to international commitments - will we benefit or regret a game missed during what, in hindsight, was a purple patch. And finally the inevitable poring over upcoming games, for us and others, with the data fiends at Opta suggesting it’s a three horse race for the final play-off place.

On to Barnsley on Monday. Via an early preview of a huge local derby.

Resurgam.

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