Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Exeter City: FLW reports as late Pilgrims double sinks Grecians in the Devon Derby | OneFootball

FLW was in place at Home Park for the Devon Derby as Plymouth Argyle opened their season with a Carabao Cup clash against county rivals Exeter City.

Plymouth Argyle scored twice in stoppage time to win the Devon Derby 2-0 over fierce rival Exeter City.

The hosts had the lion's share of the chances in the first 30 minutes, with Bim Pepple and Ronan Curtis going closest for the Pilgrims, whilst Charlie Cummins' speculative effort was all Exeter had to write home about in the opening exchanges.

On the stroke of halftime, Argyle thought they had the lead when Xavier Amaechi's ball was taken down and finished by Pepple, but the striker was adjudged to have used his arm to control the ball, which saw the goal chalked off.

Plymouth were in the ascendancy early in the first half, with Will Evans and Pepple missing guilt-edge chances to break the deadlock, before substitute Ethan Sutherland was sent off on his Exeter debut.

It felt like the contest was destined for a penalty shootout until Exeter academy graduate Alex Hartridge nodded home Harvey White's corner in the 92nd minute to win the game for the Green.

Pepple added another two minutes later to put the game beyond doubt, and reclaim Argyle's throne as the best team in Devon, until the teams next meet at least.

Plymouth Argyle 2—0 Exeter City

The atmosphere inside Home Park was electric as both teams, now a division apart, started their respective competitive campaigns with a game neither wanted to lose.

Argyle were the first to threaten breaking the deadlock through new signing Harvey White. Wes Harding's cross was knocked away from danger by Ed James but only as far as the midfielder, who's bouncing shot drifted wide.

10 minutes in, Exeter academy graduate Hartridge nearly punished his former employers with a deep cross which was met at the far post by Pepple's outstretched leg and guided just wide.

Just over 10 minutes later, the Pilgrims should've had the lead. Pepple picked up a loose ball at the byline and cut it back across goal. It evaded everyone but was met by Curtis, who scuffed his shot from three yards out, allowing Bycroft to gather.

Exeter certainly weren't out of the game though and had their first sniff at goal just before the half-hour mark. Argyle failed to clear their lines, which allowed youngster Cummins to attempt a speculative volley that sailed high and wide of Cooper's goal.

Bycroft was then forced into his first save of the evening a few minutes later, getting down low to deny Pepple, who once again found space after latching onto a loose ball.

Argyle again missed another golden opportunity to take the lead minutes later when a Hartridge throw into the box fell to Mathais Ross, but the Dane couldn't quite get the contact required to knock it past a well-positioned Bycroft.

Just a minute before the break, Plymouth had an opener, or so they thought. A wonderful ball from Amaechi found Pepple in the box, but the Canadian took it down with his arm before slotting home, which saw it ruled out.

That was it for the first half in the Devon Derby, and both sets of fans were left feeling rather underwhelmed, as the tempo of the match hadn't matched the energy in the stands.

Taylor Perry had a good chance to write himself into Exeter folklore on debut moments after play resumed for the second half. A corner fell to the midfielder who was unmarked on the edge of the box, but he couldn't keep his shot down.

The Grecians looked threatening on the break and almost capitalized when Reece Cole picked Plymouth's pocket and found himself two-on-two with the defence. The number 12 whipped in a cross which was headed over from an unmarked Andrew Oluwabori.

Ten minutes later, Evans had the chance to make himself a hero on debut. A long ball from Cooper was flicked on by Curtis which sent the Welshman through on goal, but his shot lacked the direction to beat Bycroft, who gathered with ease.

Moments later, it really should've been 1-0 to the Greens. Malachi Boateng's excellent cross gave Pepple a free header from just yards out, which he uncharacteristically nodded over the bar.

Evans had an even better chance on the hour mark. The big striker pounced on a loose pass back to James, rounding the defender before blasting his effort into the Devonport End.

The contest would eventually wake up in the 80th minute with Plymouth looking to steal it at the death. A deep corner to the back post was met by Evans, who headed wide from mere yards out.

With less than five minutes to go, the man signed on loan from Wolves pre-match, Sutherland, saw red for a second bookable offence, hauling Sorinola back.

Then, in stoppage time, the unthinkable happened. An Argyle corner was whipped in by White, and met by the head of none other than Exeter academy graduate Hartridge, who nodded past Bycroft to send Home Park into raptures.

The Pilgrims added another one two minutes later via talisman Pepple, after substitute Freddie Issaka pounced on a loose ball and found the Canadian, who slotted into an empty net.

Cooper pulled off an incredible save to deny Exeter a consolation at the end, but after missing some huge chances, Argyle eventually found a way to retake their crown as the best team in Devon, starting the season with an incredible and emotional victory.

Plymouth Argyle player ratings

M. Cooper - 8

W. Harding - 7 (F. Issaka 89'(6))

M. Ross - 6 (J. Pleguezuelo 77'(6))

A. Mitchell - 7

A. Hartridge - 8

M. Boateng - 8

H. White - 7

X. Amaechi - 4 (M. Sorinola 68'(6))

R. Curtis - 6

A. Pepple - 8

W. Evans - 5

Unused substitutes: J. Storer, B. Wiredu, J. Edwards, B. Ibrahim, C. Roberts, J. Sharpe

Exeter City player ratings

J. Bycroft - 6

A. Oluwabori - 7

E. James - 6

J. Fitzwater - 6

L. Woodhouse - 6

G. Edwards - 5 (E. Sutherland 65'(3 Sent off 87'))

J. Doyle-Hayes - 6 (H. Kite 46'(5))

T. Perry - 6 (J. Gordon 65'(5))

C. Cummins - 6

R. Cole - 6 (G. Birch 72'(5))

J. Wareham - 6

Unused substitutes: F. Phillips, L. Oakes, S. Cox, L. Cayless, L. Cartwright

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Match attendance

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Home Park was unsurprisingly sold out for the Devon Derby, with a total attendance of 16,755 supporters, including a contingency of 1657 ​ strong making the short trip down from Exeter. ​​​​​​