All you need to know ahead of Home Park trip
Plymouth Argyle v Luton TownSky Bet League 2
Saturday 19th March 2016, kick-off 3pm
Live commentary on Hatters Player
• Town won five of last seven
• Hatters won four of last five away games
• Argyle third in League 2
• Pilgrims won three of last 11
• Hatters triumphed in just eight times in 47 visits
• Loan signing Glen Rea in line for debut
WHO? Plymouth Argyle, aka the Pilgrims, aka one of the sides also pushing for promotion from League 2 this season. Argyle, now managed by Derek Adams, have already beaten the Hatters this season when they triumphed 2-1 at Kenilworth Road back in October thanks to a late winner from ex-Hatters loanee Ryan Brunt.
HOW THEY DOING? Very well. Argyle go into the game in third place in the table. The Greens have enjoyed a fine season to date and have been among the leaders for the much of the season. Last season they pipped the Town to the final Play-Off place but lost to Wycombe in the semi-finals. John Sheridan left in the summer and Adams took control after leaving Ross County. In a division that changes every week, before last weekend’s games they held a six-point cushion over fourth place. Now that gap is down to just three points.
HOW TO GET THERE. The journey to Home Park is the Hatters’ second longest of the season, a mere 506-mile round-trip, which should take you about four hours in the car. To get there, take the M1 south, M25 anticlockwise, M4 west and M5 south. At the end of the motorway continue onto the A38. On entering Plymouth, turn left onto the A386, towards Plymouth. When this road splits into two, keep on the left hand side (again signposted Plymouth) and after about a mile you will see the ground on your left. The ground is well signposted.
TICKETS PLEASE. As we typed these words out (Thursday morning, 10.30am) the Luton Town ticket office sold 497 tickets, but Hatters fans can purchase tickets on the day at Home Park. However the prices to increase by £2. Tickets are available from the ticket office until 3pm if you want to save a couple of quid, and you can choose to sit in the family stand or in the main away end. The choice is yours.
HOME COMFORTS. Argyle have been consistent both and away this season – and obvious reason why they are one of the favourites for promotion. Only leaders Northampton (with 12) have won more games on home soil this season than Plymouth’s 10. However, the Pilgrim’s recent form has been patchy: Adams’ side have won three, drawn four and lost four of their last 11 games. The Greens have won three of their last six matches at Home Park, but have lost twice: to Wycombe and Northampton. The Hatters won on their last visit last season, 1-0 thanks to Andy Drury’s goal. That was only the Town’s eighth win in 47 visits!
CLUB CONNECTIONS. Many-a-player has served both the Town and Argyle down the years. Dwight Marshall, Keith Allen, Milija Aleksic, Mike Harrison and Calvin Andrew to name just five. Brunt, who scored the winner against the Town in October, played just six games while on-loan under Gary Brabin in 2011.
TOWN TEAM NEWS.New loan signing Glen Rea will be included in the squad and could make his debut following his arrival from Brighton. Alex Lawless could return following a hamstring problem, but Nathan Doyle, Jake Howells and Josh McQuoid all remain unavailable.
REF WATCH. Darren Bond takes charge of only his third match involving the Town and his first since our 2-0 win over Wrexham in the Play-Off semi-final in 2012 at Kenilworth Road. So far this season Darren has shown 82 yellow cards and just two reds in the 27 matches he has overseen.
LIVE AND ONLINE. As ever, we’ll be reporting live from Home Park. Build-up starts at noon, so get on our early blog on the Wall for all the latest updates. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for photos, videos and all the behind-the-scenes action. Hatters Player subscribers will be able to listen to live commentary from just before 3pm with Simon Pitts in the press box. Post-match, remember to check out the official website, YouTube channel and Player for reports, interviews and photographs and don’t forget to tune in later in the weekend for all the highlights in glorious HD!