PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 BRISTOL CITY 2
ALGERIAN midfielder Hamza Bencherif played as a trialist for Plymouth Argyle in their 'development squad' game against Bristol City at Home Park this afternoon.
Midfielder Hamza Bencherif has started a trial at Plymouth Argyle
Bencherif, 25, was released by League One outfit Notts County at the end of last term.
He spent part of pre-season training with Chesterfield – the former club of Argyle manager John Sheridan – and was on trial at Mansfield Town until last week.
Bencherif played for 78 minutes of the game against Bristol City and the powerful 6ft 3in midfielder was a good attacking threat.
He started his career at Nottingham Forest but did not make a first team appearance.
Bencherif had a loan spell with Lincoln City before moving to Macclesfield Town, for whom he scored 16 goals in 60 games.
He signed for Notts County in June 2011 and went on to make 21 starts and 19 substitute appearances, scoring two goals, until parting company with the Magpies.
Argyle assistant manager Gary Owers told Herald Sport: "The opportunity popped up to have a look at Hamza so he has played in the game and done alright.
"He has just come in so it was difficult for him. He travelled down last night from the Midlands and he has been pitched into the fray today.
"He's going to be here for a couple of days and it's too early to talk about anything else really."
Argyle had nine professionals in their starting line-up against City plus Bencherif and River Allen, a second-year apprentice.
Allen usually plays in midfield but on this occasion he was at right-back.
City have a League Cup second round tie at home to Crystal Palace tonight so their side was made up of under-21 and academy players.
One exception was 36-year-old Louis Carey, who played at centre-back.
Taking charge of City was their under-21s manager Mark O'Connor, who was a coach at Argyle when Tony Pulis was the pilgrims' boss.
Argyle had a couple of early chances with striker Tyler Harvey and midfielder Luke Young both shooting off target from god positions.
Harvey had a shot saved by City's Jojo Wollacott but otherwise chances were few and far between in the opening half an hour.
Argyle were caught on the counter attack in the 35th minute and it led to the visitors taking the lead.
Midfielder Kevin Krans broke forward and drilled a low, angled shot past Jake Cole into the opposite corner of the net.
Argyle almost drew level four minutes later when Harvey chested the ball down inside the City penalty area but his shot was kicked away by Wollacott.
Bencherif also twice went close to scoring on the stroke of half-time, first with a 20-yard shot which was pushed away by Wollacott.
Then, from the resulting corner which was taken by Young, his goalbound header was saved.
Wollacott was replaced by Max O'Leary for the start of the second half and he was soon called into action to push a powerful header from Harvey over the bar.
Moments earlier, Bencherif had headed wide from Allen's inviting cross into the goalmouth.
City doubled their lead in the 58th minute with a penalty from Krans after striker Aaron Holloway was clumsily tripped by Argyle midfielder Andre Blackman.
Young forced a fine save out of O'Leary with a dipping 25-yard shot before Harvey fired narrowly over the bar in the 73rd minute.
Bencherif's involvement in the match ended soon afterwards when he made way for second-year apprentice Kieran Asumadu-Sakyi.
The former Algerian under-20 international has a strong physical presence and put in a decent display as an attacking central midfielder.
Argyle reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the 80th minute when Harvey slotted home from the penalty spot after substitute Ryan Lane was fouled by City's Jack Batten.
Centre-back Jamie Richards then almost equalised for the Pilgrims when he headed the ball inches over the bar after a corner to the far post from the busy Young.
ARGYLE: Jake Cole; River Allen, Maxime Blanchard, Jamie Richards, Ben Purrington; Andres Gurrieri (Ryan Lane 68 mins), Luke Young, Hamza Bencherif (Kieran Asumadu-Sakyi 78 mins), Andre Blackman; Isaac Vassell, Tyler Harvey.
Substitutes (not used): Andrew Hannah (gk), Josh Hutchinson, Nathan Summers, Sol Wheatley.
BRISTOL CITY: Jojo Wollacott (Max O'Leary h/t); Pierce Mitchell, Jack Batten, Louis Carey (Harry Paice 68 mins), Lewis Hall; Kevin Krans, Rhys Jordan, Gus Mafuta, Luke Dobie, Miguel Santana (Joseff Morrell 59 mins); Aaron Holloway (Zac Vyner 78 mins).
REFEREE: Mark Whaley
GOALS – Argyle: Harvey (pen) 80 mins; Bristol City: Krans 35, (pen) 58 mins
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Home 
Register 
Log in 
Tue Aug 27, 2013 4:53 pm
