Fletcher debut impresses Sturrock

22 February 2009 10:03
Sturrock swooped for Crystal Palace's Wales midfielder Fletcher on Friday and the 28-year-old midfielder produced a powerful 49th-minute opener to mark his Plymouth debut and man of the match performance.[LNB]Sturrock said: "Carl has played at the highest level - for club and country - and his experience shone through today.[LNB]"He scored a great goal but his leadership qualities were there for all to see.[LNB]"He made a big difference to us and he kept everyone going, and that is what you need when you are in our position.[LNB]"We carried on from where we left off in the second half against Palace on Tuesday and battled throughout today.[LNB]"I have not lost the dressing room and that showed again today. We are all in this together and it's just a shame that we gave away two zany goals, otherwise I would be here celebrating a victory."[LNB]Fletcher angled home his strike after left-back Gary Sawyer headed Paul Gallagher's right wing corner back across the face of goal.[LNB]Blades striker Danny Webber - who steered the ball just wide in the first half - pounced on a scuffed Romain Larrieu goal-kick to race 35 yards and beat the home goalkeeper with a clinical finish in the 63rd minute.[LNB]But Sturrock's spirited Argyle side bounced back in style and went 2-1 ahead on 70 minutes when Sawyer's throw-in was headed down to Gallagher by Rory Fallon.[LNB]Argyle's top scorer Gallagher - on loan from Blackburn - superbly steered the ball into the far corner with a sweeping shot which took his goal haul to eight.[LNB]United were not finished and makeshift striker Greg Halford headed his third goal in four games when he stooped to power home Gary Naysmith's deep cross from the right.[LNB]Blades boss Kevin Blackwell - a former Argyle coach and goalkeeper - said: "I thought we settled well and had the better of the first half.[LNB]"I know through being here how tough it is to get anything at Plymouth and the home crowd played their part today.[LNB]"With the position that Plymouth find themselves in, I knew it would be tougher than ever and I am delighted with the way my players have come away with something.[LNB]"They have come back twice and could have gone on to win it in the end.[LNB]"We are low on numbers and yet you wouldn't have guessed that by looking how well the players did out there today."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk