Home Park will welcome FA Cup action for the second time this season, as Plymouth Argyle host league neighbours Oxford United in the second round of the tournament.
The Theatre of Greens exploded against Stevenage last month, after a 94th minute winner from Rueben Lameiras secured Argyle with tomorrow’s tie. Despite the joy of an FA Cup victory, Derek Adams’ side have seriously struggled with form this season, but will hope their decent home run (4 wins in their last 6) will be enough to see out the U’s. In form striker and October Player of the Month, Freddie Ladapo has scored 7 of his 10 goals this season at Home Park and the Green Army will be praying he’s on top form as Argyle search for yet another ‘confidence booster’ this weekend.
“A game we are desperate to win”, PAFC assistant manager, Paul Wotton told the press yesterday. This comes in response to Argyle’s 2-0 loss away to Shrewsbury on Tuesday evening. Away form has been a factor in Argyle’s current league position and many fans will expect a win at home against Oxford.
The Pilgrims’ opposition, Oxford, will be confident coming into the game against an out of form Argyle. Manager Karl Robinson was “delighted” with his side’s bounce-back performance on Tuesday evening against Rochdale. A 4-2 win, seeing youngster Marcus Browne grabbing a brace earned him a place in the Sky Bet League One team of the week. The 20 year old is the U’s joint top scorer alongside ex Wolves attacking midfielder James Henry. Both players will be ones to watch for the Greens on Saturday.
The 49th meeting between the sides is a chance for Argyle to get one back on Oxford, following the 2-0 defeat at the Kassam Stadium in October. The result could not have gone any worse for Argyle, with ex players Curtis Nelson and Jamie Mackie both on the scoresheet for Oxford. Wotton told the media that, “Jamie is a winner. I am sure he is looking forward to coming back”. The 33 year old scored his first goal for the U’s against Argyle and he was not shy to celebrate.
The game holds a big importance as the winner of the game will receive £54,000 prize money and also the chance for a big third round tie against Premier League opposition. Many Argyle fans will want to relive the excitement of facing Liverpool both home and away, as the Greens held them to a famous 0-0 draw at Anfield. It is not a round Oxford will shy away from either. In 2016 they beat at-the-time top flight opponents Swansea city at home, with Kemar Roofe scoring the winner. The club’s record transfer, when he was sold to Leeds United for £3million.
The third round draw of the FA Cup will take place on Monday 3rd December.
You can watch the game on iFollow from 15.00 tomorrow afternoon or information on tickets can be found at www.pafc.co.uk.