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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This episode is dedicated to the memory of Rachel Borthwick following her passing.

There’s early chat on the unfortunate cup final defeat for our women’s team against Bournemouth. A valiant display, and a fantastic achievement to reach the final. Now it’s about brushing ourselves off and pushing on for promotion to the second tier.

We also debate the season ticket pricing, which has been a major talking point this week. While there’s sympathy for Simon Hallett, both he and the club are arguably paying the price for a number of poor decisions over recent seasons.

Our three internationals didn’t get on the pitch, including Bim Pepple for Canada, though there’s still another friendly to come midweek. Let’s hope Bim, Conor and BG all return safe and sound.

And then onto the play-offs. While results didn’t go our way, even Tom Kirk now thinks we can make them. Given this is the man who said we’d win our last six games after losing the Pizza Trophy final to Bolton, the play-offs must be as good as certain now.

Happy listening.

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It’s still, still - STILL! - on. A comprehensive never in doubt (sort of) 3 points against play off rivals. A two week break to bring back some of the walking wounded. Authentic, endearing celebrations. What a time to be an Argyle fan.

Tom is joined by Chris and Dan to start with hot off the press news of a huge win for the Argyle women’s team. Only 1980s ‘watch on teletext’ vibes to go on but a huge win for an over performing team. Long may it continue.

Back to Saturday’s action, there is a sense of confidence on and off the field despite multiple missing players, a makeshift midfield and even after an against the run of play goal. A goal down approaching half time and an injury to the opposition keeper provides a catalyst for a huge second half.

There is praise for an Owen Dale tracer bullet, a dubious but we’ll take it penalty, and a goalkeeping error and the chance for many more. A fluid formation, competent performances across the field, goals, chances, heroic defending when needed all with the 95/96 team in attendance made for a wonderful afternoon in the sun.

With no game for two weeks, there is a focus on the ongoing rebirth of a squad - performance, culture and results - and huge sympathy for the returning Bali Mumba who seemed visibly upset by the reception he received on his return. Credit to the club and first team for seeing beyond the vitriol and providing comfort. Pantomime boos okay, but let’s try and remember the good times shall we?

Enjoy the break, see you again in April.

COYG

Any contribution towards running costs is always welcome:

https://ko-fi.com/pilgrimspodcast

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It’s still – STILL – on. A scrappy, nervous night under the lights, but three more points and on we go. Archie is joined by Chris and Mark straight after the final whistle to bring the heart rates down, but keep the energy levels high.

A fairly nondescript first half, with the only real moment of note being a bizarre, almost deliberate-looking miss from a former Torquay player. Thank you, Jamie! But the second half started well and, for the first time, Argyle were clearly on top. If anyone can decipher what is and isn’t allowed from corners these days, do let us know. But a combination of Curtis’ repeated quality deliveries and dark arts makes up for a very similar Reading goal at the weekend. Solid, forgivable late errors from exhausted legs, some savvy changes and some relentless performances do enough – just enough – but we will take it.

Thoughts turn to another huge game with some old friends and a team in relative freefall. Please avoid TYPICAL. Huge credit all round, especially for a head coach performing well on and off the field. A perfectly timed statement between games , can we convert it into a perfectly timed run for the play-offs? Stranger things have happened.

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It’s still on, isn’t it? A great game for the neutral, a point gained but oh so close to being more. Archie hosts and is joined by regulars Chris and Mark, and BBC Radio Devon commentator Michael McCann, to bring some extra insight to a fascinating afternoon.

Not that you would have been thinking too positively after five minutes. A good attack turned into some horrific defending and a cross or a shot and a flap – 1–0 down. But it didn’t feel all doom and gloom, and the Cheltenham Two combined from a well-worked set play: a great finish and a fantastic hobby horse celebration. Reading then exploited what felt like early-season defending to take the lead and it really didn’t let up until half-time.

Into the second half and a combination of Argyle looking good and Reading sitting back brought a deserved goal for the relentless Caleb Watts. Should Curtis have made a different choice or should we be grateful for his relentless energy and creativity? Let’s go with the latter…

Part Two brings the uncomfortable subject of club redundancies. Sympathy for those affected is balanced by the evident reality of the ‘perilous’ state of the club finances. Thoughts finally turn to two huge games against play-off rivals. And who’d have thought we’d be saying that in December?

Up the Bastard Argyle.

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IT'S HAPPENING, IT'S OFFICIALLY HAPPENING - SOUND THE PLAY-OFF CLAXON!

Mark and Archie reconvene minutes after the full-time whistle at Wigan to discuss yet another Argyle victory – making it five from the last six. And now the two can actually begin to ask, or perhaps not even dare to dream, the very real possibility of a Wembley visit.

It’s a joyous and slightly rambling affair, and not even an interrupting workman can detract from what was not only a fantastic result, but a fantastic set of results elsewhere, leaving Argyle four points off fifth and three off sixth.

There’s yet more love for Bim Pepple, who bags again to become Argyle’s top scorer of the season in the process, incredibly. The pair also spend time marvelling at the wonder that is Herbie Kane, who was outstanding once more – though in truth there wasn’t a single Argyle player below a 7/10. There’s also talk of a goal-of-the-season contender, referring to the silky team move for Argyle’s second. Injuries are the only dampener, with Sorinola and Harding falling foul of the injury crisis.

The pair finally touch on the looming six-pointer (or must-not-lose) against Reading, and even a Ben Waine shout-out after his FA Cup heroics.

It’s a short, possibly not very succinct pod, as the two marvel at what is honestly becoming a ridiculous season – one which now carries the very real possibility of a Wembley trip at the end of it.

We may not make the top 6, but with 5th place now just 4 points away, and the wind of momentum very much in the sails of the good ship Mayflower, there's no denying that IT'S ON.

COYG

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