Brave Pilgrims earn heroic draw at QPR

There has been no shortage of drama in the opening weeks of the Wayne Rooney era at Plymouth Argyle and the 1-1 Sky Bet Championship draw at QPR on Saturday was a demonstration of determination and organisation.

The Pilgrims endured a nightmare start at Loftus Road, falling behind to a Michael Frey header inside three minutes, and they had to survive a few more scares before settling into their task.

Morgan Whittaker restored parity with a stunning strike from distance but Argyle were immediately rocked by a second yellow card for experienced midfielder Adam Forshaw, meaning more than an hour played with ten men.

The Greens responded with a display of immense courage, frustrating their hosts and Conor Hazard was outstanding between the sticks. Even another late red card for teenager Freddie Issaka could not derail Argyle from earning a stubborn point.

After a difficult opening day defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, Rooney’s new-look side has settled down with a comfortable win over Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup and a 1-1 home draw with Hull City in the League.

After the midweek trip to Watford in the Cup, Argyle welcome back former manager Steven Schumacher and his Stoke City side on August 31, the final game before a two-week international break.

It has been a rough start for the Ocean City’s ‘second club’, Plymouth Parkway have picked up just one point from their opening four games in the Southern League Premier and sit in the bottom two alongside Tiverton Town.