Pilgrims can take plenty of positives from win

DALE'S FIRST ASSIST AND ANOTHER CLEAN SHEET FOR RESOLUTE GREENS

- By CHRIS ERRINGTON [e-mail]

OWEN Dale finally got his first goal contribution for Plymouth Argyle, in his 15th game on loan from Championship club Oxford United, in the 1-0 victory over Rotherham United at Home Park on Saturday.

Dale came up with the assist when he ran onto a pass from Bali Mumba in the 42nd minute and put in an excellent low cross which was tucked away by midfielder Joe Ralls.

The versatile 27-year-old attacking player briefly thought he had provided an assist in the previous home match, the 1-0 defeat by Bradford City a week earlier, when he set up Jamie Paterson to put the ball in the net, only for Dale to contentiously be flagged for offside.

“He works his socks off, he’s a big reason why we are keeping so many clean sheets. He doesn’t want to hear that because he’s an attacking player and I’m really pleased he got his assist today.

“He got one last weekend against Bradford that was chalked off but today he got a perfect one.”

ALEX MITCHELL 'BACK TO HIS BEST

'Argyle defended resolutely as a team against Rotherham but the outstanding contribution to their first 1-0 win in the last six games came from Alex Mitchell.

The 24-year-old loan signing from Charlton Athletic has had a difficult time away from football with some family issues to deal with.

However, he has also displayed his strength of character by producing some very solid defensive displays for Argyle as their results have started to improve.

Cleverley said: “He went through a real tough time about six weeks ago. It sort of derailed him a little bit, it was a tough moment for him and his family, and he has come out of that and got back to his best.

“I think he has been super consistent the last four, five games and been a big part of why we do look very solid at the minute.”

Dale has played in a number of different positions, both on the left and right, since joining the Pilgrims at the end of the summer transfer window.