Argyle’s former club record signing scored his first goal for the Pilgrims as a substitute in the 4-0 win against Alvechurch at Home Park
Goal celebrations for Michael Baidoo of Plymouth Argyle during the Emirates FA Cup first round match between Plymouth Argyle and Alvechurch FC at Home Park, Plymouth on 7 November 2026 (Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
Plymouth Argyle had to be patient but after a goal-less first half in their Emirates FA Cup tie against non-league Alvechurch at Home Park they eventually ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
The Pilgrims moved into the second round after two goals from striker Will Evans and one each for substitutes Michael Baidoo and Ronan Curtis.
For former club record signing Baidoo it was a first goal in a competitive game for Argyle since signing from Swedish side Elfsborg in January 2025.
It came on his return to action from a significant hamstring injury which he suffered in the final pre-season, at home to Championship club Bristol City.
Alvechurch did well to limit Argyle’s attacking threat in the first half but they had no answer once Evans opened the scoring in the 50th minute and were unable to get a single shot on target during the tie.
Oli Irow, the 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur loanee, returned to Argyle’s starting line-up against Alvechurch after being a substitute for the previous two League One games.
That was one of three changes to the team from the 0-0 draw with Reading at Home Park the previous Saturday, with Mathias Ross and Malachi Boateng also coming into the side.
It was Boateng’s first start for the Pilgrims since he suffered a knee injury in the second league game of the season, the 1-1 draw away to Wycombe Wanderers in August.
Boateng took over in central midfield from Tyreeq Bakinson, who dropped down to the substitutes’ bench, and the duo of Jack MacKenzie and Julio Plegeuzuelo were both absentees from the squad.
The fit-again Baidoo and Owen Oseni returned to the matchday squad as substitutes after recovering from their respective hamstring and ankle injuries.
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Also on the bench for the Pilgrims were apprentices Frankie Maund and Jared Rendle, who had played for the under-18s in the morning.
Maund and Rendle were substituted at half-time in a Professional Development League Cup group game against Swindon Town, which Argyle came from behind to win 2-1.
Another teenage prospect, Joe Mwaro, also played the first half of that game as he made his comeback from a knee injury which had kept him out of action for a couple of months.
Argyle reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for the FA Cup tie from the 3-4-3 set-up they had used in the previous two matches, with Xavier Amaechi and Irow providing the attacking width.
Boateng was in central midfield with Harvey White while Evans and Bim Pepple led the Pilgrims’ attack.
James Storer played his second successive game as Argyle’s goalkeeper, with Murphy Cooper on the bench, and the back four was Joe Edwards, Ross, Alex Mitchell and Wes Harding.
Argyle had a good early free-kick opportunity to open the scoring when Boateng was fouled 25 yards out by Callum Sullivan and in a central position on the pitch.
White took a curling shot and the ball was deflected wide for a first corner of the match.
Soon afterwards, Amaechi cut inside onto his left foot and had a powerful strike blocked by Alvechurch captain George Forsyth, who used his head to do so.
The visitors had a corner when Harding let the ball out of play with the last touch having come off him, but Alvechurch could not capitalise as they tried to play it short and Argyle dealt with it.
Malachi Boateng of Plymouth Argyle battles for the ball with Jamey Osborne of Alvechurch during the Emirates FA Cup first round match between Plymouth Argyle and Alvechurch at Home Park, Plymouth on 7 November 2026 (Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
People forced goalkeeper Redman Evans into his first save of the match with a low 20-yard drive and moments later another less threatening attempt from Argyle’s eight-goal top scorer was also safely held onto by the keeper.
Next, Evans sent a header inches wide after a precise cross from Irow, with Argyle claiming the ball had been touched past the post by the away side’s keeper.
Amaechi took a 25-yard free-kick shortly before the half-hour mark and while it was well struck it was just too high and the ball flew into the Barn Park End.
Argyle were forced into a 31st minute substitution when an injured Edwards was replaced by Alex Hartridge, who went to left-back and Harding switched to the right side of the back four.
Harding had the next scoring opportunity when he let fly left-footed from 25 yards out and the ball went not far wide but Argyle were finding it difficult to create clearcut chances.
Amaechi shot wide after an initial attempt was blocked and rebounded towards him and it was not long afterwards that referee Elliott Swallow blew for half-time with the score still goal-less.
Alvechurch had dealt well with the crosses and long throw-ins into their penalty area and must have been very happy with their work during the opening 45 minutes.
Amaechi had an early second half shot blocked behind for a corner for Argyle, from which there was a frantic goalmouth scramble but they could not find a way of getting the ball into the net.
The Pilgrims did break the deadlock in the 50th minute, though, when Evns scored his fourth goal of the campaign with a well-placed angled shot into the bottom corner of the net as he capitalised on a defensive error.
Argyle had Hartridge booked after bringing down Jonny Ngandu close to the touchline before the hosts made a triple substitution in the 61st minute with Ronan Curtis, Baidoo and Bakinson sent on for Irow, Amaechi and Boateng respectively.
The Pilgrims extended their lead to 2-0 in the 69th minute when a cross-shot from Curtis on the left somehow ended up in the net, with Evans credited with getting his second goal of the tie.
Rendle was sent on for Mitchell soon afterwards and played his second game of the day at left-back, with Hartridge moving into central defence alongside Ross.
Argyle went 3-0 up in the 78th minute and Rendle played an important part in it with an excellent run and cross and Baidoo timed his run onto the ball to perfection as he fired low past the Alvechurch keeper.
The Pilgrims were in complete control and grabbed a fourth goal soon afterwards when a pass from White led to an excellent clipped finish from Curtis, who had made a very positive impact coming off the bench.
ARGYLE: James Storer; Joe Edwards (Alex Hartridge 31 mins), Mathias Ross, Alex Mitchell (Jared Rendle 71 mins), Wes Harding; Xavier Amaechi (Michael Baidoo 61 mins), Malachi Boateng (Tyreeq Bakinson 61 mins), Harvey White, Oli Irow (Ronan Curtis 61 mins); Will Evans, Bim Pepple.
Substitutes (not used): Murphy Cooper, Owen Oseni, Bradley Ibrahim, Frankie Maund.
ALVECHURCH: Redman Evans; Harry Reilly, Jessy Bavanganga, George Forsyth, Jack Kelly (Nick Clayton-Phillips 65 mins); Sam Perry, Jamey Osborne (Johan Rask 57 mins); Jonny Ngandu (Ben Stephens 72 mins), Kieran Wakefield (Danny Newton 65 mins), Callum Sullivan; Miracle Okafor (Tope Obadeyi 72 mins).
Substitutes (not used): Logan Ellis, Billy Corns, Louie Rea.
REFEREE: Elliott Swallow
ATTENDANCE: 10,426 (538)
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