Plymouth Argyle's case for the defence in season-opening win against Blackpool

THE VERDICT: The defensive trio of Will Aimson, Scott Wootton and Kelland Watts dug deep for the Pilgrims

Plymouth Argyle have earned a deserved reputation for the quality of their attacking play with Ryan Lowe as their manager.

But the Pilgrims had to show a different side to their game when they beat Blackpool 1-0 in their League One season-opener at Home Park.

Blackpool, after conceding a superbly-taken third minute goal from Luke Jephcott, went on to dominate most of the match.

They had more than enough of the play, and the chances, to have won, let alone drawn, but they were thwarted by a combination of factors.

One of them was that their finishing did not match some of their build-up play, and there also seemed to be a reluctance at times to to get away shots on goal.

Argyle 'keeper Mike Cooper also had a fine game, making some fine diving stops, and also one excellent reflex save with an outstretched right boot to deny CJ Hamilton.

Had it not been for the athleticism of 20-year-old Cooper, the Pilgrims would have been beaten but, that said, their defensive play under heavy pressure at times was nonetheless praiseworthy.

Will Aimson was one of the three central defenders and showed what Argyle had missed from him when he was ruled out of much of last season by a long-term pelvic problem.

Bravery is one of the qualities he brings to the side, putting his body on the line a number of times to block shots and crosses.

As an added bonus, after going up for a corner, it was Aimson who provided the precise cross for Jephcott to score the only goal of the game with a deft, flicked header.

On-loan Newcastle United defender Kelland Watts lined up on the left of the trio and gave a very good account of himself.

The 20-year-old had to deal with the attacking threat of the speedy Hamilton and for the most part he stood up to the challenge.

The only one of Argyle's three regular central defenders from the 2019/20 League Two promotion-winning campaign to line up against Blackpool was Scott Wootton.

With Niall Canavan on the substitutes' bench and Gary Sawyer ruled out by suspension and injury, Wootton put in a strong display in the centre of the defensive trio.

That was epitomised by one superb intervention from him in the closing stages of the game as Blackpool pile don the pressure in pursuit of an equaliser.

Hamilton, who had switched from the right to the left flank, was sent clear and played a low cross into the penalty area.

Wootton read the danger, though, and was able to slide in and hook the ball away before it could reach one of Hamilton's lurking team-mates.

It was that sort of defending, and determination which saw Argyle pick up maximum points from their first match, and should stand them in good stead over the forthcoming weeks and months.

Argyle came out on top despite having to take off midfielder Conor Grant (hamstring) and Jephcott (thigh) because of injury concerns.

Grant was replaced by Panutche Camara and the tall, rangy former Crawley Town midfielder did well to get up to speed so soon.

He has a lot of room for improvement but you can see why Lowe was so keen to bring him to Home Park this summer because of his physical and technical attributes.

All in all it boded well for Argyle as Blackpool gave them a good taste of what they can expect in League One.

ARGYLE: Mike Cooper 9; Will Aimson 8, Scott Wootton 8, Kelland Watts 8; Lewis Macleod 7; Joe Edwards 7, Conor Grant 6 (Panutche Camara 38 mins, 7), Danny Mayor 7, George Cooper 6 (Byron Moore 70 mins, 6); Frank Nouble 6, Luke Jephcott 7 (Dom Telford 48 mins, 6).

Substitutes: Jack Ruddy, Niall Canavan, Klaidi Lolos, Ryan Law.

BLACKPOOL: Chris Maxwell; Ollie Turton, Marvin Expiteta, Michael Nottingham, Demetri Mitchell (Jordan Williams 70 mins); Ethan Robson, Grant Ward, Keshi Anderson (Bez Lubala 89 mins); CJ Hamilton, Jerry Yates, Sullay Kaikai (Dan Kemp 76 mins).

Substitutes: Jordan Thornley, Jack Sims, Gary Madine, Matt Virtue.

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REFEREE: Kevin Johnson 8

GOALS – Argyle: Jephcott 3 mins; Blackpool: None

YELLOW CARDS – Argyle: Wootton 77 mins; Blackpool: Nottingham 11 mins, Turton 51 mins, Expiteta 58 mins

MATCH RATING: 4 out of 5

ARGYLE STAR MAN – Mike Cooper