Over the weekend, the FA Cup third round ties are being played, and one of the most eye-opening ties was Mid Table Premier League side Brentford welcoming bottom of the championship, Plymouth Argyle. Championship strugglers come into this fixture with no away wins to record since April, on the other hand, Premier League outfit Brentford come into this fixture after a triumphant 5-0 away victory to Premier League strugglers, Southampton.
Both teams respectively fielding heavily rotated squads for this game, as both sides have got 3 games all in the upcoming week in their respective leagues. The most notable changes to both squads were the return of Brentford Full-back, Rico Henry, coming back from a prolonged period of injury. Plymouth Argyle’s changes consisted of newly signed attacking player, Michael Baidoo, who signed for the Pilgrims on January 3rd, smashing the club’s record transfer fee. Argyle youngster Caleb Roberts was also another rotation to the squad and managed to play the full 96 minutes.
As the sides emerged for the first half of FA Cup action, at minute’s applause was surveyed across the GTECH Stadium for a Brentford fan who sadly had passed away. Argyle then kicked the game off, looking to cause and FA “Cupset” against Premier League opposition. Throughout the first half, both sides were evenly matched, having shots at either end but subsequently, not relishing the rewards. This was the theme throughout the first half, as neither side could really grab a hold in the game, and the sides went into the break 0-0. Argyle and the travelling support were enthused by the first half showing, whereas for the home side, a sense of disgruntlement among the players and supporters.
After the half time break, Brentford kicked off the second half looking to get on the scoresheet and make it into the fourth round of FA Cup fixtures, and Argyle looked to do the same. The chances started arising for both sides again, like the first half, with Brentford forward, Fabio Carvalho, having a shot that curled just wide of the Argyle goalpost, and then Plymouth Argyle Full-back, Matty Sorinola glancing a header just over the crossbar. As the game dragged longer and longer towards full time, both sides turned to their substitutes to give another gear to the game, with Brentford bringing on Bryan Mbuemo and Keane Lewis-Potter, two players who get regular minutes in the Premier League.
With only 10 minutes left to play in the tie, a chance for Argyle arose through Matty Sorinola who then laid the ball to Morgan Whittaker, who powerfully drove through the middle of the Brentford defence, and struck the ball from just outside the penalty area, and to Brentford’s shock and Argyle’s jubilation, the ball struck the back of the net, putting Argyle 1-0 up and the 2,500 strong away end into rapture as Argyle were set up to cause an upset in the tie.
As the minutes ticked down and Argyle waiting for the full time whistle,the referee indicated six additional minutes to be played, and as Brentford started piling on the pressure into the closing stages of added time, Argyle stood their ground strong, making sure they left the GTECH with a clean sheet and a spot in the fourth round. After the six additional minutes were played, the referee put his whistle to his mouth and blew for Full Time. Plymouth Argyle, with one of the worst away records in the Championship, had beaten Brentford, who have one of the best home records in the Premier League.
Plymouth Argyle have made it into the fourth round of the 24/25 FA Cup and will find out their next round opponents on Sunday 12th January when the draw takes place. A trip to Manchester, Merseyside, or even London again could be on the cards for the Pilgrims?